Appendix D - Public Consultation Process In Support of PNL

Name Town Helen Norris Leavesden

N Campbell

James Tuck Watford Penny Franklin

Mrs C Quinton Abbots Langley

Martin Bragg Watford

Susan Oxlade Watford

Mike Leslie Herts Ross Hall Watford

Myrtle Watford

Kerry Coen Watford

Vivienne O'Brien Leavesden Tony Barton

Anthony Mansell Watford

Dudley Edmunds Andrew Blake Herts

Jeff Devine

Anne Hayward

Roberto Ruggeri Herts

Dinah Chaffin Watford

Marilyn Yarnold-Forrester

Neill Duke Herts

Mre R Evans Aston

H.Del Ponte Garston Judy Howlett

Siobhan Watford

Helen Ward Watford

Martin Attfield Herts

Steve Miles Watford John Davis

Ray Jones Herts

Phil Clark Abbots Langley

Mary Greer Garden City Neil Farrer Herts

Alan Goodridge Watford

Roy Watford Karen Green Herts

Modification Request Suggestions

Name Town Tim Cosgrove Herts

Councillor Sara Bedford on behalf of residents of Abbots Langley Abbots Langley On behalf of residents - Nascot Wood, Watford Watford

Shirena Watford

Mark Jacob Watford

Barbara Higgs Watford

Bill Twynham Bishop Stortford Dave Allen Herts

S Whyment Bengeo

Miss M Rose Herts

Pauline Stilges Alan Kerby Watford

Ann Murray Herts D.C Warner Herts

Danuta Nott Herts

Francesco Anselmo Herts

Bill Stephens Watford

Sue Hill Watford Grant Wray Watford

Anthony Jackson Garston

Pam Harvey Abbots Langley Margaret Whitmore Watford

Chris Owen

Sonia Shirley Herts

Kim Middleditch Keri Jordan Watford

G Woodley Herts

Chris Keane Shona Murray-Smith Hitchin

Tim Williams Watford

Zoe Ashley Paul Collins Hertford

William Allen John George Letchworth Garden City

Michelle Kleinman Michelle Kleinman Hertsmere Pauline Kennedy Hertford

Dr John Morris-Smith

Brian Pegrum / Catherine Thompson Croxley Green Against PNL

Name Town

Irene Lawford Abbots Langley Andrew and Elaine Green Bushey Abigail Smallworth Herts

Bernadette Swain Bushey

Su Strous Herts Geraldine Mitchell Herts

Martyn Tott Herts

Ali Gibb Herts

Allan Cook Hitchin Kerry O'Donnell

Helen Campbell Watford

Dolores Conville Herts

Bruce Knight Watford

Michelle West Hemel Hempstead Derek Hillier Herts

Mr M Press Watford

Stefano Ruggeri Herts

Kay Atkins Watford

Rosemary Stevens Herts David Geraghty Watford

Alison Grant-Davey Herts

Susan Field Oxhey David Woods Watford

Cheryl Blake Watford Nicola Bradley Harpenden

Sue Alford Sue Alford Jane Slatter Watford Sean Elstob

Sandra Robinson Herts

K Gray Hertford Paul S Taylor Radlett

Beatrice Collings Watford

Martin King Herts

Andrew King

Mrs M. Wishart Herts Mrs M. Wishart Herts

Michael Wood Bishop Stortford Malcolm Trotter

Miss S J Chambers Hemel Hempstead Emails between Mike Clark (Parish Councillor) and Councillor Mark Mills-Bishop Duncan Lewis Welham Green

Christine Holland Borehamwood

Carole Anstey Borehamwood Comments When considering your review on the street lighting policy I would like you to note I am very happy with the County Council decision to turn off a percentage of the street lights in my road. My years of insomnia were virtually cured within days of my home no longer resembling a yellow version of Watford football stadium all night long. Apart from saving energy, there are other benefits too - the traffic now having to be more reliant on their headlamps proceed through the village much slower than before and therefore, are quieter overall on the speed humps. Locally I feel most of the objections are from those areas where all of the lights are turned off at midnight. This has not happened here so there is still enough light from the remaining lights for safety.

I should like you to know that I am fully in support of the existing hours for the switch off of Street Lights as this helps to minimise greenhouse gases at a time when very few people would benefit from the lighting.

I am writing to state my support for the practice of switching off street lighting in Residential Areas after midnight. I've never been convinced of the efficacy of the blanket policy of providing lighting at all times in all areas. Very few people are traveling between midnight and dawn and those that do tend to use their own transport equiped with built in lighting (Cars and bikes, etc). If anything I subscribe to the view that street lighting can be detrimental to road safety as it can create a false sense of security in both the road user and pedestrians. Unless street lighting is so very bright that it does in fact provide a light level comparable with daylight it will still be quite dark and dark obstacles or people in dark colours will still be almost invisible until quite close. This leads pedestrians to take risks crossing roads as they think they can be seen when they can't and motorists to travel at excessive speed because they incorrectly believe their visibility is as good as it is at night. So making an area 'properly dark' will encourage people to behave with greater caution.

The security argument is similarly weak. The only time my property was broken in to was during the hours the street lighting was operational and this was a similar experience to other people I know who have suffered break ins some of whom were broken into during daylight hours.

If money is to be spent in the pursuit of home security I think it would be better spent encouraging people to put better locks on doors, windows, side gates and garages, etc. Burglars target weakly defended properties that are obviously empty and secluded from the road so a street light on the road will not deter them. But a property with a security light and a light(s) inside connected to a timer will be a less attractive prospect especially if the burglar has to get past several strong locks. If the area is dark it will also be difficult to work in.

Lighting throughout the night also interupts sleep patterns for humans and animals. There is much research to suggest a human deprived of a decent nights sleep is as dabgerous on the road or operating machinery as one that is drunk. Making it easier for people to stay awake through out the night will not assist here. I live in Kindersley Way, Abbots Langley. I understand that a review of turning off street lighting in most residential roads at midnight in Abbots Langley has been scheduled for early October. I think this has been a very successful venture and would like it to stay in place, especially in my road. From a financial point of view, it is now starting to save funds. It seems ridiculous to spend more money on removing the switch on/off mechanisms that have been fitted to the lamp posts. From a personal view point....along with many neighbours (and friends living elsewhere in the village)... I enjoy the lower light levels after midnight. Of course, there is never total blackness as lights are left on in some houses, lamp posts continue to stay lit on busy roads and there is a lot of light reflected from the M25. It is so lovely to enjoy the night sky and the stars on a clear night. This is so much harder to do with street lighting. We have a lamp post outside our house and that light and glare has gone after midnight and night time now has a greater calmness and tranquility which we definitely prefer. Local people have now become used to the lights being switched off at midnight and learnt to adjust to the change or take a torch with them if intending to return home after this time. I ask that you will add my opinion to those in favour of keeping things as they are now.

I feel strongly that you should continue to turn off street lights in areas where they are not needed all night. It seems that it is very wasteful of energy to leave them on in residential areas, except at junctions and corners where there are safety issues. The money saved could be put to greater use elsewhere.

There are some who say that the streetlight switch-off policy saves money, energy etc. That may be so, but I say this: that unneccessary lighting is a form of bullying and oppression and that the darker our nights should be the better. Keep 'em off!

If this is saving money, I find this quite acceptable, providing main roads and bus-routes are lit, and also public foot-paths and areas such as shops.

Seeing your report in the Libdem news letter re whether or not to turn the street lamps back on over night or turn them of at 12am, question still remains as follows :- 1) Has turning the light off over the past two years saved council money? 2) Has turning the light off raised crime ratings ? 3) Has the general public raised another concerns over the past two years? My personal view, I would like to see street lamps turned off at 12am, because I have a streetlight right outside my bedroom window; because I do not see the point of having a light on when majority of people are at home and money saved can be better put to other road maintenance. So please keep the lights as status quo keep then turning off at 12am. I write in FAVOUR of the continued policy of switching off street lights in Watford. I do so for the following reasons: 1. There is substantially less light pollution after midnight as a result of the switch-off. This affords a much clearer view of the night sky, something we have lost touch with. Watford may wish to remind residents to look up every now and then and enjoy something denied to those within . 2. Having moved to Watford from Wembley the nights are substantially quieter with regards to birdsong. At my previous address birds could be heard throughout the night. It was not uncommon to hear Robins and Blackbirds singing at 3 and 4 in the morning. This - and the potential impact on nature of reintroducing artificial light after midnight - should be considered and investigated. Watford has done something amazing in returning darkness to our streets. There is still sufficient ambient light from houses, cars etc to make it possible for people to find their way around. It would be a shame to see the council agree to return to polluting our environment with unwanted artificial light.

I live in Watford. I love the switch-off. Not only does this save council tax but it is ecologically sound. i also love looking out of the window if I wake up in the night and seeing the darkness!

After seeing the article in the North Watford Focus I wanted to email to say I fully support the street light switch off. The main reason being that I have a street light outside my bedroom window and despite having curtains and a blind i the street light still keeps me awake. It going off just after midnight means I actually get a nights sleep! Also, I think it is a good way to save money that can be spent on other more important things particularly as the streets that have the lights turned off aren't main roads anyway. Hopefully the lights will continue to stay off after midnight.

With regard to the upcoming review of switching off street lights in the Leavesden area, I wish to say that my family and I are of the opinion that this is an excellent way to save energy and we hope it will continue. I have to say that am in favour of the decision to turn off the lights at midnight. You say that "many people are concerned" about this. Just how many residents are out and about after midnight? Unless there is hard evidence of a safety issue or an increase in crime (I understand there has been no increase in burglary or similar crime since the blackout was implemented) as a result of switching off the lights I think that the economic saving and environmental benefit fully justifies the decision to switch off. Those costs cannot be justified for the convenience of a very small number of people who prefer to walk with street lights on. For myself I have no problem walking home along unlit streets on the rare occasions I am walking home late; my eyes quickly adjust to the lack of light. I do recall the lights being turned off during the night in the past, at a time when I lived well into the area affected by the blackout, and at that time one or two lights did remain on, typically at road junctions. A suitable compromise might be to arrange for a small number of lights to remain on by junctions. This would perhaps mean keeping no more than 10% of the lights on through the night. At the other extreme I am quite seriously affected by what I consider to be excessive light pollution coming from School at night following the completion of the recent building development at the school. As part of that work the school has installed what can only be described as floodlighting of its entire site throughout the night seven days a week. To make matters worse it has recently pruned some of the trees that did reduce the overspill from its grounds. I did raise this with the school but was met with the assertion that the much higher level of lighting was necessary on security grounds; hardly borne out by the experience across the borough of turning off the street lights. The level of lighting being maintained by the school must be costing the school/taxpayer a considerable amount that would be much better spent on the children's education. With my best wishes and appreciation for all that you do for the community.

I am strongly supportive of this policy, and actually feel it hasn’t gone far enough!

I am most disappointed to learn from "Croxley Views" that the Lib Dems continue to fight for a review of the sensible and environmentally friendly policy of switching off some street lights during early hours. As it is delivered in a LibDem paper it is, of course, not surprising that you seek to make political gain out of the issue but it is most disappointing to learn that the local LibDems either do not understand the substantial issues of light pollution or seek to ignore them in the hope of gaining a few votes. Light pollution is a very serious issue with far reaching consequences. There is considerable data available giving details of the substantial problems caused by poor and unnecessary lighting. This includes waste of energy, obscuring the night sky and the very major effect that a virtual 24hour day has on the animal population (as an example, the 24 hour day causes severe problems to the insect population and in turn, that means that a large part of our bird population loses its food supply). This is, of course, an international issue but it is vitally important that takes a positive role in reducing this problem. It is my understanding that police forces, on a national level, report no significant increase in crime when the lights are out. There are, of course, many parts of the country where there are no street lights ( I regularly go to Dartmoor, staying on the high moor where there are no lights and it is a joy to see the stars etc). The "problem" of no lighting is very much a figment of the urban mind and I believe that the LibDems should be concentrating on helping to remove these fears by positive contribution and not using the issue to gain political points and perhaps, a few votes. I trust that our local LibDems will realise the real importance and significance of this issue and will support the continuation of reduced street lighting. Whilst I am sure that there will be a vocal element in favour of reinstating "permanenet daylight" - please be assured that there are plenty of people with the contrary view, myself for one. The extinguishing of street lights in areas where traffic is light or nonexistent after that hour is an excellent idea - it saves tax payers money - it allows (sub)urban dwellers to view the stars - and lessens light pollution which affects wild life adversly. All in all a win win strategy, which I support absolutely.

I think turning street lights off at night is great. Now when one of them is faulty and stays on it’s really annoying! Buntingford turns off at midnight. I reckon you could bring that forward to 11:00pm.

Having enjoyed the night sky when the street lights are switched off, please feed in my strong views to keep them switched off at night when you have your meeting to discuss this on 1 October.

I'd like to show interest in attending the streetlighting meeting on 1st October 2013, in relation to this page http://www.hertsdirect.org/services/transtreets/highways/streetlightenergy/ I fully support the night lighting turn of scheme and hope it continues as policy.

Following Dorothy's newsletter I write to support the switch off of street lights. I understand that there may be some safety issues but my view is that the default position should be that the lights are off whenever and for as long as possible. Less light pollution. Less electricity and therefore smaller carbon footprint. Less cost to the council - and thus to the taxpayer. It has to be a win-win situation. For those in cars, our headlights are better than ever before. For those on foot we can 'wear something white at night' and carry a torch. Those on bikes can have decent lights and wear a fluorescent jacket or band. Thankyou for the opportunity to express a view.

Having had a meeting with Tom Nash -1455 and his Sergeant Jim Moyet and the street lights did come up in conversation and I’m delighted to say it has been a success, crime has not gone up at all, so you have my vote.

The present system seems OK to me.

I understand from the Comet that you are collecting feedback on the policy of switching off the street lights in Hertfordshire. I would like to record, therefore, that I, for one, am very happy that the lights here in Aston are being switched off after midnight as I am now able to get a better nights sleep. It seemed unnecessary to have so many lights on and for so long and it is very nice to be able to see the night sky properly. However, I should also add that the Council should be prepared to keep the lighting on in certain areas if there are specific problems eg. vandalism/crime and if it can be proved that the lighting will solve the difficulties. I hope you will find this helpful.

Further to the watford mayor's newsletter I write to offer my views on this issue. I am a Garston resident with a young family. We generally don't venture out at midnight and from my personal perspective, if it saves money, is good for the environment and there is no evidence that it impacts on crime levels I would support it to continue. I have just read SGM's letter in the Comet, and I would like you to know that I am 100% in favour of switching the lights OFF. It saves money, it decreases light pollution and hence is advantageous to birds and other wild life. If I am going to be out after midnight, I simply take a torch with me, or leave the outside light on. It's not difficult. I do not have a county councillor at the moment to copy this to (following the death of David Billing). Please keep to the 'switch off' policy.

As a resident at Cardiff Road, I am very pleased with this process. I'm quite happy for there to be more frequent switch offs!

In her newsletter, Dorothy Thornhill informed us that we could contact you with our feedback on street lighting. I live in Nascot Wood in Watford and the streetlights are turned off around midnight. I support the street lighting being switched off at night in my area, so please do not change this! For example, if the street light outside my bedroom window is switched on again all night it would be very detrimental to my sleep and in turn, my quality of life! The light is right outside my house and I am so very happy that the streetlights go off at night. In fact, it would be even better if the lights could go off at 11pm, an hour earlier than they do now. I sometimes walk back from Watford Junction at night after a night out in London and I never feel unsafe, despite the lights being off. I am not aware of any increased crime due to the lights being turned off, and I do not feel that my property is any less safe. Furthermore, I feel that it is an excellent way for the council to save money without cutting jobs and services. I strongly feel that I would like the streetlights to continue to be switched off in my area at night, and if not in the entire area, definitely in my road outside my bedroom as there is less than a foot between the light and my window. Thank you very much for your time and for considering my feedback.

My view is that they should stay off for as long as possible. Street lighting has been a shocking waste of money and energy for years and I am delighted that finally something has changed. If people don't like the dark after midnight, they need to either be home by then or to buy a torch!

With regard to the Street Lighting Review due in October, my personal opinion is that it should continue.

• Not only does it save vast amounts of money, it is a positive step to reducing electricity consumption in a world where not enough is being done to reduce CO2 emissions. • I have driven many times in the early hours of the morning and found that it has not caused me any problems at all. • If I had to walk the streets during the dark hours I would only do so with a group of people or I would get a taxi. Same rules apply whether the lights are on or off. Everyone should be conscious of their safety walking the streets at night. • The high traffic and high crime areas seem to be lit anyway. Mr Pile - I missed the outcome of the Local Election but, whatever the politics (& we allegedly have the 'greenest' Govt ever), I sincerely hope you got re-elected &/or that your very sensible initiative is still in place. As I said in the Herts Ad at the time you introduced the scheme, I remember the criticisms in the ?early 70s when it was decided to leave them on at night [What a waste, people then said!]. Also with a country which is near-broke, with energy-security of growing concern, far more of those returning by train late at night having access to a car than 40 years ago, it would be crazy to dump the idea now after two successful winters [as it has been rumoured]. Also as someone with a scientific background, I'm sufficiently convinced that we need to curb our CO2 emissions to consider that the tiny inconvenience to a few of having it dark (in purely residential areas) from midnight to 6 a.m. is entirely justified: after all it's the norm for several Herts villages [Benington, Breachwood Green, etc], the Police show no concern, and following a trial in Bury St Edmunds, burglary [mainly daytime opportunistic] went down! Mr Pile - sorry to hear re the election; just an additional item - have just come back, 'through the Tunnel' , from Paris where I'm pretty sure they said all shop-display lighting & ?multi-storey car park lights to be switched off from ?midnight to ?7a.m. [sorry re the queries but partly heard] - so we're not the only ones to wake up to wasteful practices!!

We are quite happy for the streetlight switch-off in herts, i have councillors what the savings are used for but as of yet i have never had our questions answered. Perhaps you could give me an answer.

The "Abbots Langley Democrat" newsletter has suggested residents contact you with our views on the policy to turn off street lights in residential roads at midnight, so that these views can be taken into account in the forthcoming review.

I support the current policy. As our economic situation is still shaky, I believe we should continue to make savings by turning the lights off at midnight. Even if the economic situation was to be fantastic, I still believe that the money could be better spent elsewhere. However, my view will change if there are a significant number (more than 1 per month) of serious (causing hospitalisation) attacks or accidents that the police state are directly caused by darkness.

I would like to add my voice to the increasing number of residents that think that having street lighting only untill midnight in Welwyn and Hatfield is an excellent idea.

My husband and I live in Newfields - which over the years has had its problems, and problem occupants. Yet there has been no concern over the lights going out at midnight that I am aware of - and we know most of the residents at our end of the road having lived here over 20 years. Even our nearest neighbour who walks her dog in the wee small hours if she can't sleep sees no problem in having no street lights at that hour. She takes a torch.

What is more when we have talked about the partial lighting to friends and residents in other towns there has been great interest and we have become aware that Welwyn & Hatfield are still in a minority in taking this step. It is good to live in a town that is setting standards. Alan (Millard), I received your letter regarding the forthcoming by election and your comments:-

“You are concerned at the number of lights that are turned off at night……..”

Dead right I am concerned, not enough are switched off – Too many are left on wasting energy and money. Switch as many off as you can, NOW. Whilst on my hobby horse, Recycling. Please get a grip of the Letchworth tip, Reorganise it so that the skips are in the same position every week, and you don’t have to walk aimlessly around the place trying to find where the skip lottery has placed the cardboard or plastic or whatever that week. And who on earth thought up the idea of having to walk behind the skips to dispose of the stuff?? Should it not be the principle to make it easy and quick to recycle? At the moment it looks as if the whole thin is organised by the Ministry of being Damn Awkward.

I live in Nascot in Watford where most of the side streets go dark at midnight while the main roads and some junctions remain lit. My opinion is that this is an excellent scheme. Over time the savings will continue to accrue which can only be a good thing. Most people in Nascot do not go out at night and are unaffected by the scheme. There has been no reported increase in crime. Those who are out late quickly adjusted to the change and have only to remember to carry a small torch. I know there have been objections but I think that is just the usual resistance to change. Please keep the scheme in place.

We have recently been canvassed by both the Liberal and Labour Parties on our views on streetlighting in Hertfordshire. We live in West Watford (WD18) and have enjoyed having the streetlights go off at midnight for sometime now. Far too much money is wasted on power to leave these lights on when the majority of us are asleep. We feel you could go even further and switch off many of the lights on "A" roads such as Rickmansworth Road in Watford. The residential streets in our opinion need no more than one light at road junctions and to reinforce road safety drivers be encouraged to park in line with the rules laid down in the Highway code: You MUST NOT park on a road at night facing against the direction of the traffic flow unless in a recognised parking space. Laws CUR reg 101 & RVLR reg 24 All vehicles MUST display parking lights when parked on a road or a lay-by on a road with a speed limit greater than 30 mph (48 km/h). Law RVLR reg 24 Park at least 10 metres (32 feet) away from any junction, close to the kerb and facing in the direction of the traffic flow. Laws RVLR reg 24 & CUR reg 82(7) In West Watford we have a problem where we have too many cars and not enough places for them to be parked roadside, residents should be encouraged, where at all possible, to park off road and use their garages and driveways. If the above rules were obeyed it would make it much safer for all road users especially when the streetlights have been turned off. It was once suggested to me by a leading politician in Watford that we have an amnesty with regard to parking in West Watford. We have no such amnesty in the UK that allow laws to be flouted and to do so with complete disregard to public safety is just plain crazy. While on the subject of lighting we still have a situation where lights are being left on in offices etc, can the council not do more to encourage the owners and users of offices to switch their lights off when not in use. I have seen in the Woodside Democrat news sheet that you are interested in people’s views on the turning off of the street lights at midnight. I just wish to say that my family and I whole heartedly approve of the switch off. We live in Forest Road. We frequently return home after midnight from London. My husband and I return via tube and then car. My children, a girl (now aged 18) and a boy (now aged 20) have similar journeys or they walk home from Watford The streets are never totally dark: the occasional street light is left on, cars do have their own lights and, when walking, many houses have security lighting causing a lit area to ‘follow’ you along the road. None of us have ever felt unsafe. It is understandable that earlier on a winters day the elderly and people with younger children may feel the need for street lighting but to light streets after midnight for the fewer number of sober, able bodied adults is a total waste of council money. Surely the question to be asked is whether there has been an increase in accidents or assaults since the switch off? In my option an adult should be perfectly capable of walking down an unlit, paved street at night out mishap. Unfortunately I feel that the people that are perfectly happy with the situation are unlikely to bother to express this formally.

Modification Request Suggestions

Comments I support the broad aims of the policy but would like to record some minor concerns with regard to its application.

1 - Public transport in the area runs after midnight. It would be safer to switch the lighting off say, 10 minutes after the last bus, tube or train has arrived / passed through a neighbourhood. 2 - Many public buildings appear to ignore the policy. It does not make sense to stumble about in the dark outside my own home only to find a local public building blazing with light. 3 - I appreciate lights are not always located strategically but would it be possible to leave lights on at road junctions and corners? And also half way along long roads / streets? 4 - Switching the lights off exacerbates the appalling state of most pavements. Perversely it is much safer to walk along a road than stumble over tree roots, broken and mis-aligned pavements in the dark.

Email from Sara Bedford: I have a morning meeting at Three Rivers, so am unlikely to attend.

The views of residents as expressed to me is that the vast majority would not want to see a general switch on, mainly for environmental reasons, and I support this. I do however feel that there are a coupe of areas that need individual attention.

One of these is Jacketts Field. This is a social hosing estate of around 130 houses. It has a larger than average number of residents who work antisocial hours. Because the estate is designed so that the hoses front onto footpaths, rather than the road and pavements, there is no overspill illumination from houses and the road and pavements feel very gloomy and u safe. I would like this road reconsidered. Kindly consider installing Solar PV > LED streetlights for the Watford neighbourhoods which continue to suffer from the "Streetlight Switch-Off" situation. I have to say this, but Third World Countries have better street lighting conditions than ours these days. As you are aware, Solar PV is the way forward, I do not have to send you a report to highlight the significant benefits which are available to the community through such technology. All it requires is a little initiative and a gentle nudge forward. If you require input then kindly let me know and I will be delighted to help. Thank you for taking the time out to read this email.

Thank you ever so much for your email, I was not expecting to hear back from you. Collectively, we should all endeavour to ramp this subject up. Especially with such a wealth of new investment taking place in and around Watford. For local residents, it seems a little bit unfair that we have to wait such a long time to receive a positive response on this from our local MP's. Just for the record, if British companies can introduce Solar Street lighting to Nigeria and Ghana with completed roll-out programs of 3-6 months (grids already in operation) then surely we can do the same for our home territory. Please kindly take I live in Watford (WD19) and am writing in support of continuing the streetlight switch off as I think it is a good idea.

Personally I would like you to extend it and not leave lights on where there are road humps, but I appreciate this may not be possible.

There is one area where you could switch off more lights - there is an industrial estate in Imperial Way in Watford, where many of the buildings leave their lights on all night (and I would guess very few residents ever walk down either) so the light from the streetlights, which are bizarrely left on, is totally superfluous.

I would suggest you investigate this further as you could easily switch off more without people even noticing in this area.

I am a resident of WD17 and find the street which I live in very tricky to negotiate after the lights go out. Not only is it potentially dangerous but it is impossible to see where you are walking and doing simple things like trying to park or loading your car becomes difficult.

I understand the need to save electricity but how about keeping every second or third light on alternately on each side of the street?

From a personal viewpoint, living on my own I was originally disappointed when the switch-off happened as I was concerned that the level of burglaries etc., would increase. On another point, although in my seventies I look after an older family member and have been most concerned when, having pressed his lifeline in the middle of the night, I have had to go down to his house in Watford to make sure he was alright. Coming out of my house to complete black-out and again coming home I find quite disturbing. I would welcome any compromise that would see at least some of our lights left on. I can often see eight houses from my bedroom window that have lights left on at night and when I have spoken to the residents about this, they all say the same thing, they do not like the complete black-out when waking in the night.

It will be interesting to hear the outcome of your forthcoming meeting

I am hoping that a concern I have can be addressed regarding the timing of the street lights going off. At the present time they are turned off about 45 minutes before the last train arrives from London, resulting in a walk in the dark, a rather dangerous and (I can assure you) very painful thing to do on a moonless and murky night. I rarely travel on the train late at night, but I have done on occasion and therefore understand the problems that regular travellers have to put up with.

I have seen two girls being verbally harassed by four men in their 30s (not known to them) & too frightened to walk through the dark streets. Bishop's Stortford is bad enough on a Friday and Saturday night, after the lights go out it becomes a very threatening place. I would like to express my views on the street light switch off: After the switch off I have noticed an increase in anti social behaviours around where I live. We have got into contact with the police who said they had never been called to my area in over 5 years, and before the switch off I had no trouble at all. I don't feel so safe at night when all the lights go out and its an inconvenience to so many people, we live in a 24 hour culture these days. I would like the council to have invested into new technologies to save money, replacing all our lights to LED or other fluorescent technologies (white light) that can then be dimmed. This would have been a far better option, especially when the street lights in Hertford are old and need replacing. In fact the light directly outside my house is in terribly bad condition, its leaning and the light is being held together with bright red electrical tape, for example. I have reported that to the council who have done nothing.

So a summary of what should be done (what some other councils have done)

I agree that turning off the street lights too early is unacceptable. My 26 year old son who is involved in the London theatre industry often arrives at Hertford North station at 12.30am or later. I have also done the 15 minute walk up to Bengeo at this time and can hardly see the hand in front of my face due to the pitch darkness. We both feel uneasy not being able to see who or what is in front or behind us, and I don’t think there would be any response or help if a mugger(s) decided to appear from the gloom. I dread to think what women think about the situation. I believe that the lights should be left on for at least half an hour after the last train has arrived in Hertford. I take it that certain Council members don’t do much walking home late at night, and maybe they should try it.

I am a single mother who does shift working. I finish work at midnight some nights and I get home way pass 'the Cinderalla Effect' in pitch darkness Some morning I leave my house at 05:30 some mornings to arrive at work on time again in pitch darkness. I often an over whelming feeling of fear from getting out of my car to enter my house, in the dead of night or leaving my house to the car in the night. I very rarely go out at nights. Since I have to stay over night and the cost is too much!!! Why can't there be sensors in the lights which would caused it to switch it detects movement? Anxiously await a favourably response. From a very concern citizen.

I live in Field Lane, Letchworth. When the lights go out it is, to my mind, just too dark. The pavements in and around Field Lane are affected by tree roots from the trees on the verges. This is probably well documented I am sure as even in broad daylight tree roots can be extremely dangerous, not just to the elderly whose sight may be a little poor, but all are 'eligible' to trip up/over etc. Since 'The Lights Went Out', we have taken to keeping a small torch at the ready in the front porch if we, or our offspring, are going to be out after midnight.

I suppose it would be too expensive but why can't alternate lights be turned off?

If, as Cllr Medhurst states, residents can speak at the meeting following the initial one in September, and the date in October is convenient, I would like to voice my concern and also make the above suggestion.

I wish to add my comments about the situation regarding the early blanket ban on street lighting. I am a resident of Watford. Like other boroughs in the County we are subjected to complete darkness every night of the year at precisely midnight. It is quite brutal. One minute light, the next a blackout. My wife, who works in Brent for the NHS, often has to negotiate her way in total darkness from her car which can be parked several streets away from our house on the occasions that she has to work late. My neighbour, who works shifts in the Police also has to do the same as we only have on street parking available to us and so nearby parking spaces at night become difficult to find. They, and thousands more no doubt, are often terrified (no exaggeration) when they are picking their way through blacked out streets at this time of night. The blackout, especially on Moonless nights, is total. I am extremely worried of some harm happening to my wife because of this policy! The threat of poor paving surfaces, criminal activity, personal attacks, injury and worse are very real in total darkness!

The same occurs if any of our family dare to go out after midnight. Thousands of people in Watford have to endure this. Police, transport operatives, bar workers, nurses and hospital employees, shift workers, fire fighters, ambulance staff, the list of essential people trying to cope with this sudden and early complete blackout is endless. We are on the boundary of after all - the World here does not end at midnight!

While many people appreciate the need for restraint in these financial tiimes surely some common sense is required here. Here are some suggestions:

1).Could a plan not be considered to keep say one in four streetlights on throughout the hours of darkness after midnight? This would at least allow some point of reference and reassurance for the many walking about after dark. 2) Could the majority of urban streetlights be kept on to say 1am, instead of the current ultra early midnight? 3) Perhap savings could be made to pay for a resumption of this essential service by cutting down (or at least vastly reducing) the magazines that the County Council distribute promoting itself which mainly go straight into recycling boxes or removing the cost of employing "consultancy" companies to make poor decisions like the blackout policy. I gather it cost HCC many hundreds of thousands of pounds to get their advice about turning lights out so early in the first place! I look forward to hearing that some common sense is restored in this matter.

I will comment on the intiative of part night lights

In principle I applaud the switching off of street lights during the early hours however on 2/7/13 the lack of lighting caused me to have a fall

Cars park on the pathway hiding any imperfections such as gouges where a heavy vehicle has parked leaving a deepish indentation

At 12.10am I walked along the pitch dark pathway and stepped out into the indentation not realising it was there and fell hard onto my hip I am in my early fifties and twenty six days later I am still in some pain, therefore I feel that maybe the lights are switched off just a little bit too early. I was looking for the torch app on my mobile couldn’t locate it, started walking and bam fell over, I only had approx a 600 mtr journey I come from an era when things were very much better! ie. reliable posts (twice a day), doctors that visited their patients at home, sometimes twice a week, roads that were not a death trap like they are now with potholes and worse! Trains to meet and connect with each other, not having to wait some times for hours, common sense prevailed! We could leave our doors unlocked with no problems banks we could trust!Etc. Police we could look up to not down on and so on. Fairly way down the list was street lighting. All the above has largely been lost in one way or another. The Powers that be have decided in there wisdom, to turn off these as well! So we no longer have the feeling of being safe at night. Therefore, I think that we need the Street lights Restored and install LED lights instead, as they are very much cheaper to run and a far better system. Villains and wrong-doers don't like to be seen and are more easily identified when in the spotlight, so to speak, I am sure that there are many people that think along these lines and more! I hope that common sense (Dirty Words?) will prevail in the end, and we will have the lighting restored ..... I fully expect that most of these words will fall on Barren Soil, but I live in hope, (Longcroft), actually!

I think that switching them off at 12 midnight is too early - a better time would be 2am.

I live in Yarmouth Rd and actually like the lights switch off for both environmental, health and cultural reasons.

What I don't like is the poor quality of lighting installations around UK. In my road, the luminaires are in a very bad state and are not as efficient as they could be. I would support an upgrade of the lighting to LEDs with digital controls, like it is already happening in other parts of Europe and UK.

I also have ideas about making street lighting more personal, where people in a road that has been switched off at night can still temporary turn it on in case of need or emergency. If you would like to know more, I am happy to discuss this more in detail. In this age of smartphones and wireless technologies it is something definitely feasible.

I would like to object to the current policy of turning off our street lights at midnight. And yet they are burning in the morning when I get up! Would it not make more sense in the summer to turn them off at 2am when most trains have stopped running and leave them off. I have come home on a late train from Euston to Bushey and found myself walking home in the pitch black. If I were a father of youngsters I would be concerned at the policy that currently exists and the potential danger it puts them in. The policy should also differ when the clocks go back and maybe they should come on again at say 5am. I would be interested in your thoughts for the future.

Dorothy Thornhill has informed the Watford residents that you are going to review the street lighting in our area sometime in October. Whilst the lighting situation does not directly affect me, it does affect my Son. He works in a bar in the town centre and doesn’t come home until 2am most nights. The streets in our immediate area are pitch black and this makes him nervous when walking home. My Son is a 6’ 5’ very confident, nearing 21 year old. He isn’t afraid of much, but the lack of visibility at such an isolated time of the morning understandably affects him.

Any consideration of this during the review would be appreciated. I have the following comments: I have experienced no issues with the street light's turning off at midnight, but I believe that there is a case for making the turn off time 1am instead of midnight, and that the lights out programme should be more extensive, covering alternate standards on all roads. I appreciate that the low cost solution that Hertfordshire has adopted makes such refinements difficult to implement, so I would also feedback that when lamp heads are being replaced, intelligent (e.g. self-reporting or individually addressable), low-energy and multi-illumination-level designs should be considered. Additionally, the dawn-to-dusk sensors that have been deployed are simply too complex a design, with no doubt a PLC controller and shonky soft/firm-ware which has led to the gross timing problems seen at equinox days. A simpler and cheaper design using an astable timer, a by-two frequency divider, two counters and a comparator would enable a more robust determination of true midnight by day length.

For the purposes of your analysis, I'm 44, male and am often out in the early hours due to collection by car of a transport industry shift worker (female) from Watford Junction. I also walk back from my local train station at various times of the day, including past midnight.

I also would like to feed back that the newer LED lighting is far too harsh and white, closely resembling as it does the colour of modern car headlights. This causes confusion about the possible hidden presence of another vehicle on a road at night, and I would suggest that you look at the spectral output of street lighting with this in mind. Often a vehicle at night can be detected round a bend or at an intersection by the light from the headlamps, and this is usually a distinct colour. If this is masked or mimicked by the streetlighting, I suspect that there will be an increase in the number of near misses at night, and an increase in inconvenience to drivers. I understand that pedestrians when surveyed prefer the whiter light, but I find it does resemble car headlights to pedestrians even, and a mitigating factor for this confusion is that pedestrians have (1) more evaluation time to determine if the light is moving or fixed (2) are more likely and able to use cues such as tyre and engine noise to make the determination and (3) are less likely to be bothered by it as they are less likely to be faced with a possible vehicle interface as they are (or should be) on the pavement rather than the carriageway.

I understand the reasoning behind the switching off of the street lamps and in principle am not totally opposed to it provided it is really making a financial difference and the health and safety plus crime aspects have been sensibly considered.

Example of health and safety neglect. I live in Lamb Close which is a cul de sac. Having visited friends who live deeper into the cul de sac we stayed later than planned. With the street lights out and it being a really dark night my wife and I literally groped our way home working from memory re pavements etc. I am not exaggerating..it was dangerous for anyone on foot in the close after midnight. Ironically the following night the street light outside No 11 remained on all night and provided enough light to avoid such a risk. This street light does remain occasionally but there is no pattern to it. It does however highlight the point I wish to make which is to leave every 3rd or 4th light on or just the odd one but it will remove the risk with you in the main achieving your goal. It may also deter crime...one car has been stolen from the close during total darkness. I sincerely hope you take my comments on board as it may be the compromise to achieving all round contentment.

Next to 94 The Crescent Abbots Langley, WD5 0DS there is a public foot path with a street light that is turned off at midnight. I feel it would be better and safer to the public if this light remained on throughout the night. The reasoning behind this is that it partly illuminates the garage area next the foot path and also where the path goes between the backs of the garages and a house in Tibbs Hill Road. I moved from Cheshire to Watford four months ago and cannot believe that street lights are turned off in residential roads at midnight. My daughter and son in law recently attended an evening function which ended at 2am and found themselves unable to walk home via residential streets but had to detour via a main road adding 15 minute to their walk. My daughter said that she could not see where the pavement ended in the unlit residential streets and was afraid of tripping. In this 'mad' age of Health and Safety I cannot understand this policy. I am amazed that the Council has not been sued for injury as I understand that you cannot see kerb edges but then it may well be only a matter of time. I feel most strongly that midnight is too early to switch of the street lights and feel that 2am is more appropriate.

I am a resident on Upper Culver Road in St Albans and have some feedback regarding the part night street lighting. I would suggest if a low wattage lighting solution gave a similar result to the part night street lighting this would be preferable as there isn't enough natural light in the street to make navigating easy when the lights are off. An alternative approach would be to consider being more intelligent which lights are switched on/off so there is at least some lighting in the street. Finally rolling out a solar solution would have a similar benefit however a level of lighting would still be available.

I wish to comment on the review of the street lighting since they were turned off at night two years ago. I understand the review is due in October this year. I have been concerned regarding the cut off time of 12pm. I live alone and if I need to go out in the evening, returning home after midnight can be a daunting prospect. I frequently have to park my car half way down the street and walk back to the house. The pavements are far from good repair and you cant see where you're walking aside from the fact that for a woman walking alone in the pitch black can be worrying. If they are not to be left on all night I would like to see the time put back to 2am at least. Also the street lighting during the summer months is never put on at 6am as in the winter due to the daylight hours, so you are already saving on cost and the environment. I have experienced trespassers behind the garage outside my house in the early hours during this period due to the lack of lighting and my car being tampered with.I would be surprised if others do not have concerns who are living alone and/or those females who are returning late at night. I do hope that there is some agreement to either leave the street lights on as before or at least to review the time they are switched off

I live in Elmwood and find that having all of the streetlights off at night is extremely dangerous, in fact both my daughter and I have had falls when coming home late at night. This prevents us from walking to the local pubs / restaurants in the village which means we either take the car to neighbouring towns causing our local businesses to lose revenue or having to drive our car the short distance we would usually have walked wasting energy and causing noise and pollution. Even getting out of the car and walking to the door is dangerous and a torch is necessary as it is pitch black. It is also quite frightening if you are coming home alone and perfect for thieves / burglars to operate in.

I fully support any measures to save energy but not at the risk to health / property. I would suggest that instead of having some streets fully lit and others in complete darkness that all streets have every other light on during the night. This would save the same amount of energy / money and would be safer for the local residents. Incidentally there several streetlights on this estate that are on during the day. I received notification via our local Woodside Democrat newsletter that the county-wide 'streetlight switch-off' policy is coming up for review in October 2013. The newsletter invited residents to have their say on the policy, hence my writing to you.

My partner and I have lived in Hertfordshire all our lives and feel very strongly that the street lights need to be left on a great deal later than the current midnight switch-off. I frequently travel back home from various events after 12am and feel extremely vulnerable when the streets are so dark.

On the short walk from my car to my house, I have tripped over litter and debris left behind as a result of recent construction work in the neighbourhood (our road - Derwent Close / Ennerdale Drive in Watford is in desperate need of regular street cleaning, but perhaps that's a topic for another email) because I have been unable to notice it due to the low light levels. We have also experienced an increase in unsociable behaviour, namely people loitering, littering and creating a disturbance in our street late at night, I assume because they feel they are able to get away with more 'under the cover of darkness.' Therefore, I urge you to please rethink the policy in order to give some peace of mind back to Hertfordshire residents.

Thanks for your email, I would have liked to attend the meeting but I am at work on that day,shame it was not on the Monday, as I have that day off. I would like to ask if even some of the lights could be put back on, as I fear for my safety walking to the bus stop at 5am I did have an accident earlier in the year, because I could not see where I was going and because of over hanging trees and bushes. I was walking in the road, I tripped over the kerb and badly bruised myself all down my right hand side and it meant because of the pain I was in I could not go to work, so lost a days wages. We now live in a twenty four hour society and the buses run twenty four hours, and because I get public transport I see how many people are affected by the dark mornings, and because the bus shelters are not lit up, sometimes the bus driver does not see passengers and has to brake hard at the last minute, I have bought a torch and a hi vis jacket, but I would not have had this expense if we still had our lights on. I would like to ask the council to reconsider the light situation on a safety aspect alone.

I am writing in response to your request for feedback with regard to the ‘lights out’ policy recently introduced around Oxhey Village. Although I totally understand the reasoning around the policy and the attempt to save money through electricity use, I for one would like to state how unhappy I am with the policy and the effect that this has had on the feeling of safety within the community. I have lived in Oxhey for most of my life and believe the area to be a safe place to reside. This however has put that in doubt as now, the area is in complete darkness from midnight onwards and Grover Road, where I currently live, is dangerously dark, pitch black in fact. As much as this may have helped save money, it has created a feeling of nervousness with regard to mine and especially my fiancé’s safety. As a grown man, even I feel very aware of how dark the streets are and the nervousness that this creates, never mind the worry that I now feel for my fiancé. In addition to my feelings with regard to the scheme I general, I think the hours in place for the ‘lights out’ policy need to seriously be reviewed as 12.00am is way too early for roads to be plunged into darkness whilst 6.00am is too late for the lights to be turned back on as whether to due to work or social engagements, it is not uncommon to be travelling to/from home within these hours. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions or queries or require any more detail otherwise I look forward to hearing a positive update as to the ‘lights out’ review. I am getting in contact regarding the street light issue. Although no rise in crime has been noted, for a 20 year old woman walking home past mid night, the pitch black is a frightening inconvenience, not just for safety hazards such as tripping, but also not knowing if someone is behind you or lurking in the darkness with hidden intentions. The darkness when walking down my street means you literally cannot see a thing, which means I need a phone light to see where I am going, this also heightening the risk of being mugged as then people know you have valuables on you. I'm not saying turn on every light but maybe every other or at least a few more down each road so you can see where you are going. With out the dread of walking home after work or a night out, plus taxi fares go up past midnight and I'm not prepared to spend half my wages just to get home.

I understand that shortly there will be a review of street lighting in regards to them going off at midnight until 6am, and as such I’d like to comment.

Overall I am content with the lighting going off at midnight, and coming back on at 6am, and agree with the policy of saving money and energy, and also remember as a child in the seventies that the streetlights then went out at 10pm, however perhaps two things could be tweaked:-

Strategic Lighting – perhaps certain lights could remain on all night ie in our road there’s one light that sometimes remains on out of six….. I just feel that this is a compromise situation as it gives a bit of light for people to focus on when driving/walking, and gives some security for health & safety. Also I know that residents nearby have requested one junction (Appletree Walk/Briar Rd) to be lit up as drivers come up to the junction from Appletree Walk and are caught unawares that the junction is fast approaching – screech of brakes late at night….. again if this junction was lit up it would give focus for drivers/walkers, but yes the nearby/other lights of Appletree Walk/Briar Rd could remain off.

Midnight Turning Off – whilst where we are the midnight turn off is fine I do believe that some of the roads in central Watford could benefit with the time being at 1am due to the night time economy, and workers returning home.

Hope that these points could be taken into consideration, and good luck with the scrutiny.

I am writing as a resident of Ashdon Road in Bushey (WD23 2HX). I would like to provide my own personal feedback in regards to the reduction in street lighting that commences at midnight each night. Whilst I appreciate the reduction in carbon emission,s I do feel that the safety of residents has been compromised by the street lights being switched off in full in my street. Houses in this area have few garages or off street parking places, which means that the later you return the less chance you will have of parking near your own home, as parking is already limited. This has resulted in my walking alone in an unlit street past several alleyways to get to my house. I have also noticed that as a result we do see more people standing around late at night in the street which we did not have before. We have had a number of incidents with cars riding up and down the street beeping after the lights are off for fun with their car lights off, making it impossible to see number plates. I also know that some of my neighbours have experienced damage to cars and bins. I have recently had my plants stolen after midnight from outside my house.

I have written in with my concerns before and my suggestion was that in my street 1 light remains on in the middle, and the same with surrounding streets, so that you have some light to guide you and enable you to see if anyone is there. I would also like the time to be set later as midnight is still quite early for shift workers, 2am would seem more sensible. As a resident of Hertford, I am writing to inform you of my thoughts on part night lighting throughout Hertfordshire. Since the change I have noticed obvious negative effects on my neighborhood and through research, I have found that many people all over Hertfordshire are having the same views. The effects are things such as vandalism, increased theft, dangerous driving at night, trip hazards etc. Also the fear of crime in Hertfordshire has definitely risen. Also, the lights go out before the last trains and buses. It is clear that people have realized there is a safety and security risk with the part night lighting, so people have got more security flood lighting, which generally use much more energy than a street lamp (most street lamps use about 35 watts on smaller roads, and flood lights use about 500 watts) so the CO2 emissions won’t be reduced. The public response in Hertford to the scheme also shows a huge dislike to it, a recent petition online gathered 5562 signatures aiming to completely reverse part night lighting and switch to alternatives such as LED technology. It also has become clear that the sensors on the street lamps that do this part night lighting are faulty and the built in clock and calendar to know when to switch off is wrong meaning that many street lamps are staying on all the time even during the day. What I would like to see is the use of led’s which would make huge savings, and be far more reliable reducing the £5 million cost of repairing and replacing the lamps. Please bring these points up with the council on 1st October in the meeting regarding part night lighting.

I understand that the policy of switching off street lights at Midnight is due for review and scrutiny. I would like the opportunity to feed into the process.

I feel that 12 O'clock is too early for the lights to be switched off and on many occasions have felt my personal safety is at risk because of this, for example: 1) Undertaking any evening activity in London (such as meeting friends or going to the theatre) invariably involves not getting to Euston for a train home until 23.30 or later. This means arriving back with the lights off. Although I am a fairly brave and bulky bloke, my walk from the station to my house is extremely dark and I do feel anxious for my safety. I have been conscious that there are plenty of dark entranceways or bushes for someone with violent or illegal intentions to lurk and catch a passerby by surprise. Given that the trains at these times are full, it seems reasonable to have the lights on till 00.30 or 01.00 to ensure people are able to get home without such anxiety. 2) Walking back home after dinner at friends' houses, or having attended events locally often involves being on the street after midnight. With many pubs and nightclubs having licences till midnight or beyond, it is not unusual to encounter people who are worse for wear and who are arguing or behaving in a 'exuberant' fashion. Having street lighting makes it much easier to identify where these people are, how many of them there are and how best to bypass them safely. 3) As someone who cycles to work and regularly has evening meetings, I feel my safety as a cyclist is compromised once the lights are off. Even with a decent headlight, the irregularities, potholes, manhole covers and other risks are hard enough to spot with the lights on, let alone when they are off. I am a resident of Letchworth Garden City and live at Lordship Lane. Firstly I haven’t a problem with the street lights being turned off throughout the night. The problem I have is when they are turned back on in the morning that is 6:00am I unfortunately do not have the luxury of leaving for work at a nice respectable time, I have to leave at 5:30am every morning to commute to London. I also cycle to the station and also in London so street lighting is very important for me to see the road conditions and the potholes especially in the winter months when it’s dark and freezing conditions. All I ask is for the lighting to come on at 5:15am so I am able to get to the station safely. To compensate for this you could turn the lights of at 11:00pm as any respectable person should be home and in bed for the next day’s work. Lastly, as I mentioned above that I do not have a problem with the lights being turned off in principle, I also think what is good for all residents in side streets who have their light off that this should apply to all street lights on main roads and town centres. If you are going to hit some residents you should hit all residents. If your argument these lights are on for safety reasons and to prevent crime then you have shot yourself in the foot. Everyone is entitled to the same services. Thanks for listening, don’t suppose it will make any difference.

• However this is presented it is a curfew, as anyone who is uncomfortable coming home in total darkness knows they must be home by 11.50pm to ensure the lights are still on. • In one respect I am luckier than some others, as I have a car. I live in Felton Close, a small cul-de-sac, and often there are no spaces in my street so I have to park on Rossington Avenue and walk in total darkness. • According to the police, we should park in a well-lit area and specifically under a streetlight. If I did this, I would then have to walk two streets in darkness. • I moved to Borehamwood in 2009. If I had known the lights were going to be turned off at night then I definitely wouldn't have moved here. I can't afford to move but don't want to live here any more with a curfew. • I used to have a busy social life but that has now stopped. I can't even go to the theatre in London unless I am sure it is going to finish in time for me to get a train and arrive home before the lights go out. I need to be on a train from St Pancras by 11.15pm, which means my evening is usually cut short well before 11pm. I want to decide when to finish my evening and not have it dictated to me by councillors. • I have had to give up my babysitting job in Elstree as the people I sat for usually arrived home after midnight. No problem for them as they live in a house with security lighting when they get into the drive, plus there are two of them, but it's completely different for me so I decided I couldn't do it any more as I was so scared coming home. • If I go to friends for dinner I always have to be the first to leave to ensure I'm home in time for the lights out. • I wonder if any of the councillors have experienced the absolute total darkness of the area on a night when there is no moon? • I wonder if any of those in favour of this darkness are women who travel home alone and live in a flat with no lighting outside until they arrive at the front door? For anyone who can drive into their own private driveway where the security light comes on, this isn't such a problem. It certainly is though if you don't have these facilities. • I carry a torch with me in case I arrive back later than planned, but find it so scary to walk in total darkness with a torch shining that I've only used it once and now make sure I'm home before 11.50pm. • Even if police figures don't show an increase in crime, the fear of crime is enough in itself. Surely it is the same criteria in which parents don't let their children out for fear of abduction? The incidences are no greater now than years ago, but would you force those parents to let their children out alone when they are frightened to do so? • Why do you consider it more important that a bus route should be lit? I don't have a problem with the lights being out when I am in my car, so surely the bus drivers can negotiate the roads in the dark with their headlights. If the reason is that passengers are waiting/alighting at the bus stops, then you have to accept that those passengers also need lighting to walk home once they get off the bus. • Are we paying the same council tax as people on the lit streets? If we are then we are entitled to the same amenities. • I have a very tight budget but would gladly pay a small amount on my council tax to keep the lights on until 2am. By then it is 'really night time' and most people are home (apart from shift workers of course) and that would seem far more reasonable than before midnight. • However this is presented it is a curfew, as anyone who is uncomfortable coming home in total darkness knows they must be home by 11.50pm to ensure the lights are still on. • In one respect I am luckier than some others, as I have a car. I live in Felton Close, a small cul-de-sac, and often there are no spaces in my street so I have to park on Rossington Avenue and walk in total darkness. • According to the police, we should park in a well-lit area and specifically under a streetlight. If I did this, I would then have to walk two streets in darkness. • I moved to Borehamwood in 2009. If I had known the lights were going to be turned off at night then I definitely wouldn't have moved here. I can't afford to move but don't want to live here any more with a curfew. • I used to have a busy social life but that has now stopped. I can't even go to the theatre in London unless I am sure it is going to finish in time for me to get a train and arrive home before the lights go out. I need to be on a train from St Pancras by 11.15pm, which means my evening is usually cut short well before 11pm. I want to decide when to finish my evening and not have it dictated to me by councillors. • I have had to give up my babysitting job in Elstree as the people I sat for usually arrived home after midnight. No problem for them as they live in a house with security lighting when they get into the drive, plus there are two of them, but it's completely different for me so I decided I couldn't do it any more as I was so scared coming home. • If I go to friends for dinner I always have to be the first to leave to ensure I'm home in time for the lights out. • I wonder if any of the councillors have experienced the absolute total darkness of the area on a night when there is no moon? • I wonder if any of those in favour of this darkness are women who travel home alone and live in a flat with no lighting outside until they arrive at the front door? For anyone who can drive into their own private driveway where the security light comes on, this isn't such a problem. It certainly is though if you don't have these facilities. • I carry a torch with me in case I arrive back later than planned, but find it so scary to walk in total darkness with a torch shining that I've only used it once and now make sure I'm home before 11.50pm. • Even if police figures don't show an increase in crime, the fear of crime is enough in itself. Surely it is the same criteria in which parents don't let their children out for fear of abduction? The incidences are no greater now than years ago, but would you force those parents to let their children out alone when they are frightened to do so? • Why do you consider it more important that a bus route should be lit? I don't have a problem with the lights being out when I am in my car, so surely the bus drivers can negotiate the roads in the dark with their headlights. If the reason is that passengers are waiting/alighting at the bus stops, then you have to accept that those passengers also need lighting to walk home once they get off the bus. • Are we paying the same council tax as people on the lit streets? If we are then we are entitled to the same amenities. • I have a very tight budget but would gladly pay a small amount on my council tax to keep the lights on until 2am. By then it is 'really night time' and most people are home (apart from shift workers of course) and that would seem far more reasonable than before midnight.

Response between Tom Hawkyard and Michelle Kleinman:

TH - It's a cross section of people in favour and against including a number of women who do not see walking in the darkness as an issue. In Hertfordshire villages people have usually had to walk in the dark as there are few if any street lights.

MK - I obviously don't have the figures, but I find it hard to believe that 'a number of women' don't see walking in darkness as an issue. The fact that in Hertfordshire villages people have had to walk in the dark as there are no street lights is exactly the point I made - I chose to live in Borehamwood which, when I moved here, was a town with street lights on all night, NOT a village! If there was no night time lighting when I moved here in 2009, I would NOT have moved to Borehamwood.

TH - Car parking is an issue raised by many people but it seems to me the issue is a lack of spaces generally and people not being able to park near their houses. That's not the fault of part night lighting!

MK - I am not complaining about the lack of car parking spaces. My points are that darkness is not such an issue if you have your own driveway with a security light which comes on. Anyone who lives in a flat and has to park in the street then has to walk, but it doesn't matter if it isn't dark. My point about parking a distance away is that the police advise we should park under a street light and the nearest one after midnight is two streets away. 1. Lighting You asked for opinions on "lights out" policy in your news letter for feed-back to the council. I have no problem with switching off street lighting over night but I think that it is switched off about 1 hour too early at present. 1 am or 1.30 am would be better. Hertford is a fairly safe town and I have never felt in danger walking home at night. 2. I have signed the online petition against the continued midnight switch off of street lighting and also spoken with the council officers dealing with the roll out of the programme. My youngest daughter, who is at university most of the year, is currently at home for the holidays and she and her friends find the lack of lighting very daunting when returning at night. On some nights when there is no moonlight, it is so dark one cannot even see where the pavement or road is or even your own feet. As there are always at least 3 or 4 of them who come home to the near vicinity they used to walk in safety together. Now they will often have to pay for a taxi. This Monday evening they went to London for a birthday and got back to Hertford North on the last train. They tried to call every taxi company they know, even as far away as Hoddesdon, but could not get a taxi within 2 hours and were forced to walk home in the dark once they left the main road. My own experience of the lack of lighting was also a scary one, as without notice, HCC extinguished the lights in the streets around where I do weekly voluntary work, once a month being a night duty. I left the centre at 2am alone to find no lighting and only found my car by using the open key on my keyring to illuminate the vehicle as it was completely dark. Around 70% of the volunteers are emale and it caused a great deal of concern, with some volunteers saying they would stop working for the charity if the lighting were not reinstated. After contacting our local councillor, council officers and finally the police, the lights were eventually left on in the two streets adjacent to the charity centre. This however took some weeks and was disturbing. Surely, consultation would have highlighted these very real safety problems in advance and the volunteers would not have been placed in a very vulnerable position for the weeks the lights were off. Of course, as I often leave and return to my home at night for these voluntary duties, I am still faced with darkness at my home. I was astonished to hear that no financial saving will be made for 4 years with these measures.

Dr John Morris-Smith I read about the consultation on the Herts County Council website and since I have views which I'd like to be represented I thought I'd drop you a line. My preference would be to attend the meeting, however the page doesn't give detail of the location or the time - has this been set yet and, if so, can you let me know the process around attendance. Failing that I'd like to provide written evidence, however I wasn't sure of the format... whether I should email it to you or if there was a format which is to be used for this kind of submission. If you can let me know on both counts that would be great as I'm keen to take part in this process.

Tom Hawkyard: It's a meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, just to consider part night lighting (pnl) on 1st Oct between 10 and 4 at County Hall. I attach the scoping document which tells you a bit more about what members will be looking at. Was £4.5m investment in part night street lighting a good investment. Over recent months lights are failing all over the place between Cheshunt and Hoddesdon leaving them on 24hrs a days for weeks and weeks. Who is paying for these failures and the wasted electric that we are trying to save. Just around Ashdown Crescent Cheshunt area I would extimate that about 15% of the lights have been on for the last six weeks or so. Maybe we should have stuck with the old system and looked at more efficent lamps. I am responding to the article in the Summer edition of Croxley Views regarding street lighting in Croxley Green. I was quite unconcerned about the night time blackout until I needed to make an early departure via the Metropolitan Iine train. I live in Baldwins Lane and the route I normally take to walk to the station suddenly became extremely difficult and daunting. The shortcut was far too dark and spooky to take, and especially since I suffer from osteoporosis I didn't want to risk falling on the uneven path. I therefore had to take a longer route, which I am very familiar with in the day, but in the dark it became quite unfamiliar. The occasional light in a house was also an added inconvenience as my eyes had difficulty in adjusting to the light/dark situation. I do a lot of walking around Croxley but I have never felt so unsafe and uncomfortable as I did that morning. I do think the lights should be switched back on at least half an hour before the first train leaves Croxley and switched off half an hour afterwards. Against PNL

Comments

I understand there is going to be a review in early October on switching street lights off at midnight. I live in Jacketts Field Abbots Langley WD5 0EW . A little crescent of 118 terrace houses so there are lots of little pathways and alley ways, when you come home on foot and enter Jacketts Field it is pitch black - you are in danger of falling over recycling boxes and bins left on the pathway for collection - also the pavements are in terrible condition. I personally don' walk on my own if I have been out late but even if I use my car I don' feel safe, its so dark you can't see if anyone is around. My husband and I have taken to not taking any valuables out with usand just enough money for the evening its that bad. Even if some of the lights were left on you would feel safer. We have been residents in Ashdon Road, Bushey for just over 20 years & would like to give our view on how the Part Night Lighting (introduced in 2011/12) has affected us. We would like to start off by stating that we are very much against Part Night Lighting. We completely understand the challenges that making savings of around £200m per year by 2015 must bring to the County Council but we do not believe that switching off residential street lights at 12am is the right way forward. In our specific road we can only remember two instances of what could be termed Anti-Social Behaviour in the years prior to Part Night Lighting being introduced. Since the introduction of Part Night Lighting we have heard/witnessed the following: • Our car had items placed on its roof (including a bicycle, an electric strimmer & the metal road sign (which had been ripped off of its mounting)) • On the same occasion a couple of our neighbours had their car tyres let down & one car had its rear wiper bent back • On a separate occasion one of our neighbours had their car number plate stolen • On a few occasions there have been youths in the street, shouting, screaming & swearing • People loitering between vehicles We are not suggesting that all of the above items were due to the street lighting being turned off but if one wished to cause mischief and knew that it was dark (and therefore they were less likely to be seen) then this could exacerbate the situation. If this is a representative example of things that have happened in one small street we wonder how much additional crime & anti-social behaviour has occurred across the county as a whole. You mention on your website that your policy is to switch off the majority of streetlights across the county between midnight and 6am when most residents are in bed. This is not particularly helpful to the many shift workers (of whom Mr Green is one). Coming home at 3am in the morning on a pitch black night (especially if you have to park in an adjacent street) can be considered quite daunting. You are not able to see very far in front of you, do not know if anyone is lurking around in the darkness & it can also be a tripping hazard. It can also be quite unnerving for the partner who is alone in the house after midnight with no street lights on, especially if you hear a noise and are unable to see anything out of the window. It can make you feel more vulnerable. Thankfully nothing untoward has happened to either of us to date but having street lights on does give you a feeling of comfort & security. Also, fortunately, we are fairly healthy 40-somethings but we do worry about how having no street lighting on overnight affects our elderly neighbours & people who live alone. We would hate to think of how vulnerable they could be feeling. Your website states that following county-wide implementation, the changes to your street lighting service will save an estimated £1.3m a year; we calculate that this equates to only around 0.65% of the £200m savings required. We would also be interested to know how much has actually been saved to date on Part Night Lighting. We did come up with a couple of alternative suggestions: • Leaving on every other street light (if this is possible) • Fitting motion sensors to turn on the street lights (though this may be too costly to implement) • Not illuminating parts of the Dual Carriageways (obviously safety is the priority) You also mention that the energy needed to power the street lights costs around £3.4m a year, you spend around £5m on routine maintenance & in 2010 you spent over £1.5m replacing old and worn out lamp posts. As part of your savings exercise we assume you have considered any possibilities of alternative methods of supply, re-tendering contracts or achieving greater economies of scale by liaising with other county councils. Taking all of our above comments into account we would beseech you to overturn your previous decision on Part Night Lighting & reinstate full overnight street lighting for residential streets. Thank you for taking our comments into consideration. As per the request in the Stanborough Democrat paper, I would like to confirm I am a resident who would DEFINITELY like to see the street lights go back on through the night. I have written and complained about the midnight turn off of the lights numerous times but I think once a policy has been put in place, it's unlikely to be revoked. I do hope this is not the case and that the policy review in October will be successful and that the street lights will be put back on throughout the night. Thank you and fingers crossed for some positive feedback. A Stanborough Park resident.

I have, in the past made a complaint about the situation and would now like to take this opportunity to give my views on this matter. As I female that works in Central London, sometimes extremely long hours, I find the ‘lights out’ policy very unnerving. In Winter months, I have to leave my house in the pitch black, in order to get the 5:46am train from Bushey, in order to be in town by 6:30am (as there are no fast London Midland trains at that time of the morning). As I do not feel comfortable to do so, I actually have to resort to getting a cab to Watford Junction at my own expense, similarly in the evening I have to bypass Bushey station and go to Watford Junction, if I know that the lights will be out and get a cab at my expense, as I do not feel comfortable walking around in pitch black, I’ve never lived in an area with poor lighting, so never experienced anything like the darkness that prevails over my street at midnight when the lights go out. Even when I get a cab home, it is so dark, I can barely see my key in front of me to open my front door. I moved away from Central London just before the lights got switched off, had I known that this policy was to come in place, I would never have moved to the area. As soon as finances allow, I will certainly move straight back out of the area. as I really feel that it is unacceptable to be so uncomfortable and frightened to leave or arrive at my own home at any time that I choose. Feeling safe in the area in which I live (which comes predominately through lighting) and rubbish collection are really top of my priorities in relation to the Council Tax that I pay, and whilst rubbish collection is very good in the area, it’s a shame that the lighting is giving me a very bad feeling about the area. I feel almost a prisoner in my own home between the hours of 12midnight and 6am, as I do not feel safe in the pitch black on a quiet street, which I feel is totally unacceptable. I sincerely hope that a thorough review results in a more realistic policy that sees either lights being reinstated all through the night or at least being switched off for fewer hours, as I do appreciate the sentiment in saving money through less electricity use.

This subject is like a red rag to a bull in this household. Are they planning on explaining why the rape and muggings have gone up since they have switched the lights off at Midnight in Hertfordshire. Our street is pitch black after midnight you can hardly see your hand in front of your face unless there is a full moon. But the A405 which runs alongside our road has full on street lighting. This is a dual carriageway where cars drive fast with their headlights on, they do not need road lighting. In a residential area it is necessary. You often see gangs of guys chasing girls down the road at 2 and 3 in the morning. Their faces unknown as it is so dark. Which idiot had the thought that this was a clever idea to save money. Small residential street are burglars paradise in pitch black surroundings. WE HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE LIGHTS AROUND OUR PROPERTY TO KEEP US SAFE. We pay council tax which includes street lighting, they have not reduced our council tax so why reduce our lights. I would like to have your comments. Please would you look at the lights in Talbot Road, Hitchin. Whilst canvassing for the by-election in Hitchin Oughton, our candidate met Mrs J Lai of Talbot Road, Hitchin . It seems that three weeks or so ago her son was coming home from work past midnight and was jumped from the bushes, beaten up in his own driveway, given a good kicking and robbed. Mrs Lai is talking about forming a neighbourhood group to campaign to get the lights back on. Another neighbour, whose name escapes me, also often comes back from work late at night and finds it makes life very difficult, not only for himself, but in terms of worrying about his wife; and the neighbours next door to him mentioned that kids were taking advantage of the darkness by trying to break into Laburnum House.

I am a resident of Leaford Crescent and would like to voice my view on the streetlight switch offs. I am aware there are controversial burglary statistic numbers across this and other counties but even with 'reports' of a general decline there is also a steep increase in violent crime and assault upon persons in Watford area. This highlights the need to HAVE street lighting when it gets dark. Since it began I have felt much more concerned returning home late when the lights are out and not just for myself but especially for shift workers. I am sure a nurse walking back from a 12 hour shift at 3am would prefer not to be in darkness? My point is that not everyone lives on a 9 to 5, bed by 11pm existence and the welfare and duty of care to the people living in the area should be at the top of the list. At the very least I believe one in three lights could be left on. I would appreciate your response to these issues,

I wish to express my objection to the continued policy of the council in respect of a night-time switch-off of street lights. My wife often has to leave or work in the small hours. She has had to change her habits since the introduction of he nightly switch-off. She refuses to park her car in our garage, as she feels vulnerable without street lighting to: 1) Give greater visibility to see for herself there is no-one lurking nearby and 2) Offer a peace of mind in that the fact the area is well lit, reduces the opportunity for anyone to easily mask their presence by use of dark areas. I am now having to leave our security light on overnight to compensate for the lack of street lighting. Please review the current policy

I refer to the position concerning street lighting in Hitchin and in particular the `turning off`of lights at night. Whilst not normally reverting to subjective debate - I do have to say that walking home along from Lancaster Avenue recently was an unnerving experience. Not only did we have to return for a torch to help avoid any mishaps, it was also very clear that any women, of any age, would have been terrified to have been walking in this area at that time of night. Whilst I recognise the need for budgetary savings, this particular one is asking for trouble. A serious attack or bad accident in any of these unlit streets is going to lead to repercussions and potential litigation. I would respectfully suggest a serious review of this policy ASAP. I can say that I speak for a large swathe of residents in these areas. Having received a flyer from the Lib Dems regarding the switching off the street lights at midnight, I thought I would e-mail my views. I understand the reasons behind this, to save money, however this cannot compensate for the my strong feelings of vulnerability when I come home after 12am. The streets are pitch black, you cannot see if anyone is coming towards you or behind you. Where I live the parking is dreadful at most times because the council have still failed to rectify this situation so I can't even park near my own and have to walk from three or four streets away. This has even had an impact on how late I stay out now, I leave my friends earlier so that I am home before the lights go out. I bet whoever came up with this brainwave probably doesn't live in a street which is effected by this cost cutting exercise, maybe if they did they would feel at risk like I do.

The lights in Watford and Garston should be kept on all night because there are shift workers who walk to and from work, in addition to the elderly and vulnerable who all feel less safe when the lights go out at 00.00 (Midnight) and leaving the roads in total darkness. Stop printing "Horizon" and spend the money saved on keeping our roads lit and safe.

I am apposed to the street lights being switched off at midnight. Public transports runs beyond this time so there should be street lights to provide visibility and extra safety for anyone but particularly women walking home at night. I appreciate the sentiment to save money so would suggest lighting could be turned off at 2pm weekdays and may be a bit later at weekends to cater for those travelling home later. Safety has to be a priority and lighting does provide visibility which could prevent a pedestrian being 'surprised' in the dark. Please also look to improve the lighting in Capel Road, nr Bushey Arches as the street lights do not seem to work properly any time of day.

I totally disagree with the lighting switch off at midnight. Many elderly and young people in this location are at risk.... Hold you guys responsible for any injury through this irresponsibly conceived decision. Turn them back on.

I would like to point out that since you have reduced street lighting to zero, or very minimum in the above street my husband has had 4 thefts from his ATS Euromaster van, this has included 3 catalytic converters worth approximate £1,500 each and a set of LED breakdown lights were also stolen from said vehicles there was a prosecution on one of the thefts. My husband has had warning from his company that if there are any further thefts from his company van he will no longer be able to bring his vehicle home this has now resulted from him sharing a van so as not to bring it home and has caused serious stress and inhibits him being a breakdown fitter from 10pm until 6am, which has resulted ina serious loss of earnings for our family! You seriously need to think what effects are caused in areas that have had criminal activity since your reduction of street lighting as this has giving criminals carte Blanche during the darkness hours. Sorry should have said vehicles are parked in Lomond Road which is off Leven Way. I am writing to you concerning street lighting in my road we have one street light in our turning which is turned off at 12 o clock at night as iam a taxi driver and work nights i think this is very dangerous most times when i come home i cant park-down my turning so have to park at top of the road and then walk home as a cab driver i have cash on me and it is pitch black ive noticed groups of lights on at my local shops and on the way home which i think is wrong when we have groups of lights on in certain areas then none at all in others the light number iam inquiring about is number lampost number 656 archer road stevenage herts i would be very grateful if you will give this request of turning this light back on at night your considerations i think this is very dangerous

I am writing to you regarding the street lights being off now for almost two years. I think it’s is time now to turn the lights back on. I have on occasions had to walk down my road after midnight with the lights out and it is quite scary and unnerving with no lights on in my street. I do not drive . As a ratepayer, I believe we should now have our street lights put back on. We are in 2013 and have made maybe some savings over the last two years with no lights on ...maybe! – Please review in support of turning the lights back on again I don’t really want to have to walk in pitch darkness down my street again for any longer now.

my name is Stefano Ruggeri resident of Croxley Green and living in Winton Drive. I lived here since 1989 and I loved this area for so many years but now I feel is lacking of consideration of us residents. Since the implementation of switching the street lights after midnight has put a lots of worries in my mind about my daughter when coming back home from London and arriving at Croxley station after midnight. ( the last train from Baker Street is at midnight). I don't feel at all comfortable for my daughter to walk back home from the station all way down to the other end of Winton Drive ( not far off from Baldiwns Lane). So I have to wait for her after midnight and then drive to the station and pick her up. I don't really care if the statics are low regarding crime but it takes 1% to turn into a tragedy. Also in the winter if there is snow on the ground it is not visible walking along the pavements. So can we please not to switch the light off after midnight, please?

I live in Branscombe Hse, Gisburne Way , WATFORD. and i have lived for the best part of Twenty years. Almost two years ago all of our street lights were turned off at night, Leaving the paths and walkway pitch black and UNSAFE ! This year Beechfield School has under gone a major upgrade , part of which was an upgrade to the exterior lights, These lights 6 in number are on from early evening to early in the morning, 7 nights a week 52 weeks of the year. How can this be justified ! Could you please look in to this as it totally unfair.

My daughter has a serious degenerative eye condition called retinitis pigmentosa, where both her retinas are gradually being destroyed. One of the symptoms is total night blindness and she also has problems in dim light. By turning off the street lights at midnight, she is unable to see anything at all, and this makes it impossible for her to go out, or to make her way home late at night. I consider this to be a health and safety issue and find it unbelievable that no thought is given to visually impaired people, just so that money can be saved by the council. I would welcome your thoughts on the matter. I am writing to find out what the future holds for this ludicrous idea of turning out the street lights down some of the roads in Watford? I live in Westlea Avenue and have done since 1997. We have not had any problems re theft or vehicle interference until they started turning off the lights. Since then My sons van has been broken into and property stolen. My own vehicle has been interfered with but nothing taken. And I have had property removed from the drive. All these have occurred under cover of darkness. I have also been involved in a collision with a cyclist in Queens Road at 4am in the morning. In this part of Queens Road the lights were off. She had no lights on was cycling the wrong way down the footway of a one way street. Yes she was to blame however the situation was made worse because there were no street lights. She could not see me I could not see here and as I walked along the footway she caught my arm and fell off her bike and ended up in a front garden narrowly missing a wall. Could you please tell me which of the political parties voted for this dangerous idea so next time I will know who not to vote for?

I understand the street lights switch off in Oxhey is going under review in October and would very much like to take this opportunity to give an opinion. I would very like this to be reviewed so that the lights in residential areas stay on after midnight. I have two daughters one of 20 and one of 18 and my main concern is for their safety if they are out late and on returning home are not aware of what lies in the shadows when the streets are bathed in such darkness. At least having street lights on gives them some sence of safety even though they do tend to get lifts or taxis home. On the odd occasion though they may not get lifts direct to their house and may have to walk which I am not happy about when it is so dark. I live in Warneford Place, off Kind Edward Road and it is very dark after midnight around there. I am also aware that early mornings are unsafe as I have a friend who has a son who does a paper round around 6 in the mornings and during the winter, again it is incredibly dark around the streets he has to walk and at that time in the morning eerily quiet too. I do consider this very unsafe for anyone to be out and about and think there must be a better way that energy can be saved without turning off all the lights. Even if half of them, on one side of the road, stayed on that would be better, at least there would be some light and safety. I do hope you will reconsider your decision as although it may not make much difference to some people I think it is important to look after the safety of people who become very vulnerable in the dark and surely in the dark where no one can see, crime in general will increase.

I am writing to say that I think the midnight switch off of street lights is a very bad idea. I understand that on the side roads every other light was switched off – I have noticed this is the case in Woodwaye, which leads to where I live in The Pastures. We only have one street light in The Pastures and this is witched off, plunging The Pastures into total darkness. It is not only a security problem but also a personal safety problem. It is even more frustrating when I drive home late at night and see lights ablaze in places like The Bushey Academy on London Road. Surely the bright spotlights there are using far more energy than the lamp-post in The Pastures! I live at Oxhey Avenue, Wd19 4ha. I understand from the Mayor that any comments regarding the street lights switch off should be directed to this e-mail address. Let me commence by saying that I have been opposed to the idea since inception but until now have not been bothered to raise my objections. I work in central London which involves shift work which means I am regularly catching the trains back to Bushey Rail Station late at night. It can be quite disturbing walking back home from the Station with street lighting on along the Pinner Road and part of Oxhey Avenue only to find the area around my property in pitch darkness. I am grateful that my gender and age means I am not as vulnerable as other members of society. However, an incident recently has meant I have found it necessary to finally commit to raising my concerns over the "black-out" in Oxhey Avenue. On 6th July in the early hours of the morning I was woken by the diesel engine of a flat back lorry outside. I looked out of my upstairs window which looks out onto the road and could see the lights of the lorry parked opposite. All else was in darkness. The driver of the vehicle turned on the internal cab light and I could just make out the features of a white male. He then turned off the lights of the lorry and the internal light and I could no longer see a thing. I was suspicious as the vehicle was sitting with its engine running and parked in front of two driveways. I opened my window and could hear someone getting out of the vehicle and getting something off the rear. They then carried a bag which appeared heavy across the road to my next doors neighbours house, No.78. This is currently empty and being renovated. I made the assumption that the lorry had stopped to dump rubbish in my neighbours front garden. At this point I called out from indoors alerting the male to my presence. We had a brief verbal exchange which left me in no doubt his actions were illegal. I then called the police and shouted out that I was doing so. The male returned to his vehicle and drove off as I was speaking to the police operator. I had been unable to provide the police with any useful description of the male or, more importantly, the registration number of the vehicle being used for the fly-tipping. In view of this, the police operator stated there was nothing they could do and could not even circulate the vehicle to patrol vehicles in the area. This is my experience and I feel that whilst street lighting being on all night will not necessarily prevent incidents such as this it does act as a deterrent and can assist in identifying those criminals working at night. I understand the need for cost cutting and believe this must be the sole reason for the street lights being turned off although I'm sure the environment "green" factor is used to justify the current council policy. I hope that my views are useful and am happy for them to be used in any debate on the matter

Thanks for giving residents an opportunity to offer feedback to the ridiculous decision to turn off streetlights in Hertfordshire. This decision effects many generations of my own family including my mother, teenaged children and myself. When walking home from Friends from routes in North Watford is pitch black. With uneven roads, tree routes (I reported an absolute hazard in Salisbury Road which is HCC did taken action) dog mess, gangs of young people sitting around. It is not acceptable that we should have to put ourselves in danger for the sake ‘experimental’ cost cutting exercise when so much other money is being wasted all over Hertfordshire in other areas. I hope that this very brief but obvious overview adds weight to the review. I was forwarded your email details by the Highways team at Hertfordshire council, following a complaint that I recently made with regard to the lack of street lighting at night in Harpenden. As a new resident to the town, I am in complete shock at the position taken by Hertfordshire Council with regard to street lighting at night time and want to register how appalled I am that decisions have obviously been taken which are clearly for cost cutting reasons without proper regard being considered for the safety of residents. I live on Crabtree Lane in the town and fairly regularly have to walk back from the station to my house at night, if I have to work late or am out in town. The streets in between the station and my house are pitch black after midnight- not just dark- completely black and it impossible to see anything at all in front of you. I’ve lost count of the number of times I have tripped up over something left on the footpath, or walked into items such as bins/recycling boxes etc because I cannot see them. As a lone female walking home, it is also pretty terrifying for me to have to do this in the pitch dark and is completely unsafe. Quite often there are no taxis at the station when I get back late, and in any event I don’t see why I should have to rely on taxis to get me home, when I live relatively close by. I can honestly say that if I had known about this street lighting policy (or lack of) I would not have moved to Harpenden, as I feel that my personal safety is completely compromised. I honestly believe that pursuing this policy is an accident, or worse still an assault or attack waiting to happen. I understand from discussions with local police that they have also registered their dissatisfaction with the lack of street lighting at night. Hertfordshire Council have advised that this policy is to be scrutinised with effect from 1 October by local Councillors and I would appreciate if my comments above are taken on board when reviewing this. I am hopeful for a positive outcome, as I don’t believe continuing with this approach can in any way be considered as in the interest of public safety, which I expect should be paramount in the agenda of all Council and local authority bodies.

I write to you with reference to the fact that County Councillors are planning to undertake a scrutiny of part night lighting on 1 October 2013. I understand they wish to find out from Hertfordshire residents what they think of the changes implemented in 2011-12. So here are my views and the views of thousands of others with whom i have been in contact over the last two years. Over the years i have found myself complaining about many government initiatives - some die a sweet death, some carry on and i get used to them, and some remain and go ahead and i loathe them with every fibre in my body and this is one of them. Subsequently i have become actively involved with a facebook campaign group called 'Turn our street lights back on' * which has 1379 members and we have a petition on the Herts County Council website** with 5562 signatures on it. We have been on the TV, radio and in the papers and we will continue our fight against this initiative! I also did a door to door petition around my housing estate in Borehamwood about a year and a half ago and i easily got 500 signatures over three nights and everyone, except about 2-3 people, were very keen to sign it - so in essence at least 98% of residents want the lights left on or a suitable alternative explored, The residents like me - have now had to invest in outdoor lighting and subsequent on going electricity costs, fear for their teenagers/family On a personal note, this initiative to turn all our residential street lights out has caused me distress in some shape and form every single night! My specific reasons for opposing this initiative are as follows based on my personal values and i include thousands of other residents and friends views in Herts here too, who i know are personally effected: 1) Violation of Respect to myself and all Herts residents, especially in Hertsmere were no one was consulted. As taxpayers we were totally disrespected and our subsequent views ignored. 2) Violation of Appropriation of Finances involved - as taxpayers we had already paid for this service and it was cut off mid council tax year! 3)Violation of Freedom of Movement - we are effectively curfewed - i have to now plan my late night walk to ensure i don't get stuck out in the pitch black darkness and that i have to rush to get home before midnight. I don't want to have to carry a torch - i want to walk free of carrying anything. 4) Violation of obvious general Health and Safety Requirements - in any health and safety literature it will clearly state 'operate in good lighting conditions' and for the 'lone worker procedure' which i equate to walkers walking on their own e.g. shift workers - 'ensure you work in good lighting conditions' - I don't know of any health and safety legislation that says walk in the dark as we don't give a damn about you or your health and safety! 5) Violation of safety - anyone knows our roads and pavements are not in the best of conditions and indeed it is very easy to trip over kerbs, uneven pavements, obstacles left on pavements, badly parked cars etc etc - yet no one cares! 6) Violation of my personal security - i have now had to invest in outside lighting that isn't very eco friendly as i cant afford top of the range eco-friendly lighting (i do use eco friendly bulbs but these still cost me money to run and buy) and this has added a cost to my electricity bill - just so i feel reasonably protected in my own home from any 'intruders' (humans or animals) who may be outside. 7) Violation of feeling safe - i went outside the other night to put some bin bags in the bin but in the total pitch black darkness beyond my drive i heard strange animal noise and i was actually too terrified to proceed to my bin and so quickly retreated back into my home and didn't dare venture outside again that night. 8) Violation to my health - with the street lights being off, I feel angry every night as i am curfewed, i don't feel that safe in my own home or outside beyond my property, and with it being so dark outside has actually turned me into an insomniac, not because of a fear of dark itself as i sleep in the dark in a safe and controlled personal environment but because i can only think its in my survival genes from caveman times that i feel i have to be 'on guard' throughout the night as i'm the first house into my estate and so i find my self 'on edge' and 'on guard' until first light of the day comes up, before i can relax and go to sleep knowing that nothing bad happened in the night. I am now on anti-depression medication too and this has been one of the areas that has contributed to my health condition of anxiety/depression. 9) Violation of common sense - why have other alternatives not been explored in Herts as they have been in other counties and around the globe? even in remote parts of the world and in third world countries they are treating this matter with more regard for users and coming up with great eco-friendly solutions e.g. alternate lights off, one side of the roads lights off, or off between 1am and 5am would even be better than currently midnight to 6am, or sponsorship of lights by companies or residents happy to pay towards them, better use of eco-friendly technology e.g. solar lighting during summer and LED lighting. The fact that public transport is running until 1am and starts at 5am has also been ignored, putting these users at risk by forcing them to be out in the dark not everyone has a torch or remembers to have new batteries in them and also now if there is an increase in torches and batteries these will end up in landfill sites unless the owners recycle them Lastly, has anyone done a full risk assessment and a realistic cost/benefit analysis bearing in mind residents' increased use of electricity, extra use of cars/taxis or journeys by bus that wouldn't have normally been needed. Are CO2 emissions really being reduced or just shifted? I trust you will give the points mentioned proper and due consideration and we live in hope that someone will see the light and turn them all back on again or consult properly with us residents e.g. us taxpayers and agree on another suitable alternative.

On a personal note, this initiative to turn all our residential street lights out has caused me distress in some shape and form every single night! My specific reasons for opposing this initiative are as follows based on my personal values and i include thousands of other residents and friends views in Herts here too, who i know are personally effected: 1) Violation of Respect to myself and all Herts residents, especially in Hertsmere were no one was consulted. As taxpayers we were totally disrespected and our subsequent views ignored. 2) Violation of Appropriation of Finances involved - as taxpayers we had already paid for this service and it was cut off mid council tax year! 3)Violation of Freedom of Movement - we are effectively curfewed - i have to now plan my late night walk to ensure i don't get stuck out in the pitch black darkness and that i have to rush to get home before midnight. I don't want to have to carry a torch - i want to walk free of carrying anything. 4) Violation of obvious general Health and Safety Requirements - in any health and safety literature it will clearly state 'operate in good lighting conditions' and for the 'lone worker procedure' which i equate to walkers walking on their own e.g. shift workers - 'ensure you work in good lighting conditions' - I don't know of any health and safety legislation that says walk in the dark as we don't give a damn about you or your health and safety! 5) Violation of safety - anyone knows our roads and pavements are not in the best of conditions and indeed it is very easy to trip over kerbs, uneven pavements, obstacles left on pavements, badly parked cars etc etc - yet no one cares! 6) Violation of my personal security - i have now had to invest in outside lighting that isn't very eco friendly as i cant afford top of the range eco-friendly lighting (i do use eco friendly bulbs but these still cost me money to run and buy) and this has added a cost to my electricity bill - just so i feel reasonably protected in my own home from any 'intruders' (humans or animals) who may be outside. 7) Violation of feeling safe - i went outside the other night to put some bin bags in the bin but in the total pitch black darkness beyond my drive i heard strange animal noise and i was actually too terrified to proceed to my bin and so quickly retreated back into my home and didn't dare venture outside again that night. 8) Violation to my health - with the street lights being off, I feel angry every night as i am curfewed, i don't feel that safe in my own home or outside beyond my property, and with it being so dark outside has actually turned me into an insomniac, not because of a fear of dark itself as i sleep in the dark in a safe and controlled personal environment but because i can only think its in my survival genes from caveman times that i feel i have to be 'on guard' throughout the night as i'm the first house into my estate and so i find my self 'on edge' and 'on guard' until first light of the day comes up, before i can relax and go to sleep knowing that nothing bad happened in the night. I am now on anti-depression medication too and this has been one of the areas that has contributed to my health condition of anxiety/depression. 9) Violation of common sense - why have other alternatives not been explored in Herts as they have been in other counties and around the globe? even in remote parts of the world and in third world countries they are treating this matter with more regard for users and coming up with great eco-friendly solutions e.g. alternate lights off, one side of the roads lights off, or off between 1am and 5am would even be better than currently midnight to 6am, or sponsorship of lights by companies or residents happy to pay towards them, better use of eco-friendly technology e.g. solar lighting during summer and LED lighting. The fact that public transport is running until 1am and starts at 5am has also been ignored, putting these users at risk by forcing them to be out in the dark not everyone has a torch or remembers to have new batteries in them and also now if there is an increase in torches and batteries these will end up in landfill sites unless the owners recycle them Lastly, has anyone done a full risk assessment and a realistic cost/benefit analysis bearing in mind residents' increased use of electricity, extra use of cars/taxis or journeys by bus that wouldn't have normally been needed. Are CO2 emissions really being reduced or just shifted? I trust you will give the points mentioned proper and due consideration and we live in hope that someone will see the light and turn them all back on again or consult properly with us residents e.g. us taxpayers and agree on another suitable alternative.

I would like to formally submit this complaint about the streelights being switched off overnight, my main issue is around Women's Safety. Street Lights - Women's Safety on dangerous dark streets I understand the environmental and financial issues Herts County Council are trying to address by switching off street lights at midnight but have grave concerns about safety - particularly women's safety. This change was implemented at great cost to the Council with little or no consultation with the people who have paid for it through their Council Taxes. At the women's group Soroptimist International St Albans & District we conducted two women's safety surveys in the St Albans area in the last 10 years. As a result of the first survey street lighting was increased in some areas where women felt particularly vulnerable. We observed in the second survey that women were modifying their behaviour to avoid danger. These street light changes have effectively imposed a curfew on women and vulnerable people, or made them use cars and taxis which won't have helped the environment at all! I am aware that crime has increased in my own residential area from vandalism and burglary - made easier for criminals being in darkness. The crime figures on attacks on females and other vulnerable groups are unlikely to show significant increases in crime because people will just avoid being out on these now dangerous dark streets. In addition car accidents are likely to have increased - driving home at night is very dangerous in the dark avoiding parked cars in areas like Nascot Village. Not much thought was given to this plan. Why midnight? why not 2am? and is it possible to have the lights stay on all night on say Friday and Saturday nights when people are out and about until the dawn? What about having movement sensors on the lights so they come on when they are needed? what about turning every other light off over night? These are all the people I wrote to when the change was announced, I also signed multiple petitions. Watford Obersever - [email protected] Mark Watkin - [email protected] - Watford Councillor Dorothy Thornhill - [email protected] - mayor of Watford Richard Harrington - [email protected] MP for Watford Robert Gordon [email protected] leader of Herts County Council Stuart Pile - [email protected] Herts County Council person responsible for implementing the scheme. Stephen Giles-Medhurst - [email protected] - County Councillor Part night lighting was badly conceived and poorly executed from the beginning. Firstly, not once were residents consulted or asked for their views before the 'switch off', due no doubt because they would have said it was a bad idea. Secondly, instead of blacking out 60-70% of residential areas after midnight, a plan to turn off every other light, over a 100% area, would have achieved comparable savings without putting people's health, safety and property at risk. I am one of the unfortunates the Highways agency apparently cares little about in that I finish work and return home after midnight and I resent being treated as second class citizen by being forced to negotiate wheelie bins, dug up pavements and badly parked cars in the pitch black. I feel penalised because I happen to not work a 9-5 job and feel aggrieved that the people making the decision to plunge whole areas into darkness are tucked up safely in bed, unconcerned as they are with the plight of those left to stumble around in the dark as they return home from a long hard day at work. Those of us who have no doubt 'serviced' all the 9-5ers as they enjoyed a nice evening out at a restaurant, theatre, cinema or pub etc. I'm sure the wellbeing of those of us who return home after midnight, from their places of work, never even crossed the minds of councillor's when they came up with this 'so-called' plan of theirs. The sheer short term-ism of the savings, of the money wasted installing the cheap part night lighting sensors is disgraceful when a more long term approach, waiting for new LED lighting arrays (installed by other councils around the country) would have yielded savings long term and kept people safe (or at least feeling safe) with some level of reduced and more efficient lighting rather than none. The other aspect is the double standards at play. Police advising us to keep our property's well lit for safety while all the time pushing the council line reporting that there is no evidence of part night lighting causing any increase in accidents or criminality. If that's the case, why have commercial properties (usually empty overnight) well lit after midnight at all? Why have main roads fully lit if they are also just as safe unlit? The implication is that an empty commercial property is worth more (protecting it with adequate illumination) than a private tax paying resident and their property. Shame on all those responsible for pushing this part night lighting scheme through in such a half witted, Ill conceived way. You can't expect people to swallow that it's safe for them to live and walk home in total darkness (in some ares) in one breath, while extolling the virtues of adequate street lighting in others. It's a ridiculous proposition and it treats the tax payer with contempt and I'd like to see the return of a few more (not all - I quite accept the need to save money) street lights in those areas blacked out. I'd also like to see some evidence that councils are thinking more long term with proper investment in newer lighting technologies rather than wasting money botching the old one's.

I am a resident at Ryan Court, Field End Close. I am absolutely annoyed with the fact that the lights go off at midnight, all bar one, which is near the allotments. I go out a lot, and for a single women, it is very scary getting in and out of my car after midnight. You can sometimes hear noises, but cannot see anything. Most of the resident around the close are elderly, and I think it is definitely a security risk also. It is totally pitch black. Is there any way that the lists could be activated with movement?? I am totally against this idea, I can see why it has been done, but for certain areas, it is not very safe.

Copy letter to Graham Nickson: I write to 100% support your policy to keep street lighting on in the whole hours of darkness. Recentl, there was an attempted breakin at my house, I saw the perpetrators, but because of it being so dark I was unable to give the police a positive and confident description of the persons. If the light next to my house had been on after midnight, I would have been able to give a good description. So please do all you can to get lights switched on all night. I wish to make a formal submission to the forthcoming review regarding the part night lighting policy. Whilst I could make many comments regarding the unsuitability of this policy my submission will be limited to the perspective of personal of personal safety and wellbeing. The walk home after midnight can be unpleasant when the whole area is in darkness. The same I am sure is applicable for those returning by train after working late, theatre or other entertainments in London or St Albans. The walk home from Radlett railway station in complete darkness is not pleasant, although the station itself is well lit. It should be noted that there are several trains arriving at Radlett after Midnight. With no street lighting, walking along generally narrow pavements with parked cars in abundance on naturally migrates to the middle of the road to avoid hazards. The middle of the road is far easier to negotiate than the pavement and feels safer (ie less vulnerable to possible personal attack) but can be dangerous if a fast car approaches. Cycling with no street lighting and with the state of the roads is just not a practical solution. Whilst the intention of cost and carbon reduction was laudable it is doubtful if any meaningful reductions have been made, and in societal terms it has been a retrograde step. The policy has been from its earliest stages overtaken by technology viz. LED lamps and other such alternatives. I would urge the Council to reinstate the street lighting, especially in urban areas and using alternative lamping, as soon as practicable.

I think I can speak on behalf of my neighbours that, since we live at the 'far reaches' of the Holywell Estate, near Brightwell Farm, the street light switch-off has been a considerable burden, and especially as my husband is disabled. It is extremely dark at this end of and so without a doubt, we would welcome more light as autumn and winter approaches. Wishing you success in the review of this policy.

I found out today about the proposed street lights switch off in Hertfordshire between midnight and 6am. I think this will be a bad idea. Apart from the obvious risks of being mugged, attacked & burgled. I sometimes have to get a train at 4:30am and take comfort in the fact that the lights are on when I walk to the station and feel a bit more secure. It will be a lot more risky and scary without lights, and I'm a bloke saying that! Goodness knows how much worse women would feel. Whilst it may be deamed a money saving idea, it could cost more in police time if there are more incidents! Is this all the way across Herts?, I live in St Albans.

I wish to express my views on the current situation of street lighting. I feel it is too risky to be out after the lights switch off in Hatfield. Tesco is open 24 hours a day but walking there is unsafe. I feel there is more opportunity for crime to be committed when it is dark. Thanks. Herts resident for 31 years

Having read your report on the proposed street lighting review to be held shortly, I would like to add some comments regarding the complete blackout we have in this area. I have lived in this house for over 44 years and it is only in the last two years that there have been any problems and these have been due to the complete lack of any street lighting in this area. Up till the switch-off there were three lamp-posts lit between the junction of Girton Way/Winton Drive and my house which is half way along Girton Way on the corner of Claremont Crescent. There were also 3 lamp-posts lit in this side road, Claremont Crescent, where the entrance to my garage is (about 50 yards along this road) as well as some houses further along the crescent. Since then we have had no lights in that part of Girton Way nor in Claremont Crescent. A few months after the lights were switched off, around Sun March 12 (overnight) the wooden gate at the far end of my garden, next to my garage entrance, was badly broken down. Although the top and bottom bolts were forced off and several slats and supports broken, the small padlock in the middle of the gate held so the intruders did not get in. I reported this to two policemen (or Community policemen) who were in Girton Way a day or two later and they advised me to report it to the police station as there had been other problems that night. I did this and someone did come later in the week to have a look but by that time the men who were repairing the gate had rebuilt it and were just finishing painting the new slats and supports, and had put new bolts on it – so the policeman left. A month or two after that a neighbour who parked a BT Van in the side street overnight had the spare wheel stolen from underneath the van. One Sunday morning at 5.15am (in early Feb.2013) I was awakened by terrible crashes in the road in front of my house. I was sure my car was in the garage but looked out the bedroom window just in case as the crashes had seemed so near. It was too dark to see anything and I was afraid to go out on my own. After a short time several people carrying torches came along and I realised the offending car had stopped just in front of my house. They opened the car door and the driver was helped out and soon several police cars and an ambulance arrived. The police and ambulance men took over but it was some time before the road cleared. Next day I saw one car on the other side of the road with its side ripped off and I was told by neighbours that two other cars had also been hit. When we had snow last winter I was telephoned late one night by a neighbour who lives in Claremont Crescent almost opposite my garage to tell me that a crowd of youths were ‘fooling around’ and making a lot of noise in the carport in front of my garage door. There is a security light which I installed there but unfortunately it is the only light in the whole area late at night so these youths were fooling around and making use of it. I could not see what they were doing but I was afraid to go out on my own. I did not want any more damage to the back gate or the garage door so I telephoned 101 and the police came and dispersed them. I was very grateful for this but felt that if there had been lights in the streets they would not have congregated there. Lastly, while I do not come home very late on many occasions now it spoiled my visits to the Olympics last year because the pavements were so uneven and even taxis could not see numbers on houses. Theatre trips and late evenings with friends have had to stop or be cut down as it is frightening and dangerous coming home with no street lighting. It has also been also embarrassing explaining to friends who come for the evening but who do not live in Croxley that they should leave before midnight as there are no street lights after midnight in this area. There have been other incidents over the last year where I have seen and heard police cars and ambulances in the side street (Claremont Crescent) after midnight when there are no lights but I do not know why they were there. I apologise for this email being so long but I feel we really need some street lighting in all the residential streets and not just full lighting on a few selected roads. After all, don’t we all pay for the street lighting and yet some of us do not get any.

Having read your report on the proposed street lighting review to be held shortly, I would like to add some comments regarding the complete blackout we have in this area. I have lived in this house for over 44 years and it is only in the last two years that there have been any problems and these have been due to the complete lack of any street lighting in this area. Up till the switch-off there were three lamp-posts lit between the junction of Girton Way/Winton Drive and my house which is half way along Girton Way on the corner of Claremont Crescent. There were also 3 lamp-posts lit in this side road, Claremont Crescent, where the entrance to my garage is (about 50 yards along this road) as well as some houses further along the crescent. Since then we have had no lights in that part of Girton Way nor in Claremont Crescent. A few months after the lights were switched off, around Sun March 12 (overnight) the wooden gate at the far end of my garden, next to my garage entrance, was badly broken down. Although the top and bottom bolts were forced off and several slats and supports broken, the small padlock in the middle of the gate held so the intruders did not get in. I reported this to two policemen (or Community policemen) who were in Girton Way a day or two later and they advised me to report it to the police station as there had been other problems that night. I did this and someone did come later in the week to have a look but by that time the men who were repairing the gate had rebuilt it and were just finishing painting the new slats and supports, and had put new bolts on it – so the policeman left. A month or two after that a neighbour who parked a BT Van in the side street overnight had the spare wheel stolen from underneath the van. One Sunday morning at 5.15am (in early Feb.2013) I was awakened by terrible crashes in the road in front of my house. I was sure my car was in the garage but looked out the bedroom window just in case as the crashes had seemed so near. It was too dark to see anything and I was afraid to go out on my own. After a short time several people carrying torches came along and I realised the offending car had stopped just in front of my house. They opened the car door and the driver was helped out and soon several police cars and an ambulance arrived. The police and ambulance men took over but it was some time before the road cleared. Next day I saw one car on the other side of the road with its side ripped off and I was told by neighbours that two other cars had also been hit. When we had snow last winter I was telephoned late one night by a neighbour who lives in Claremont Crescent almost opposite my garage to tell me that a crowd of youths were ‘fooling around’ and making a lot of noise in the carport in front of my garage door. There is a security light which I installed there but unfortunately it is the only light in the whole area late at night so these youths were fooling around and making use of it. I could not see what they were doing but I was afraid to go out on my own. I did not want any more damage to the back gate or the garage door so I telephoned 101 and the police came and dispersed them. I was very grateful for this but felt that if there had been lights in the streets they would not have congregated there. Lastly, while I do not come home very late on many occasions now it spoiled my visits to the Olympics last year because the pavements were so uneven and even taxis could not see numbers on houses. Theatre trips and late evenings with friends have had to stop or be cut down as it is frightening and dangerous coming home with no street lighting. It has also been also embarrassing explaining to friends who come for the evening but who do not live in Croxley that they should leave before midnight as there are no street lights after midnight in this area. There have been other incidents over the last year where I have seen and heard police cars and ambulances in the side street (Claremont Crescent) after midnight when there are no lights but I do not know why they were there. I apologise for this email being so long but I feel we really need some street lighting in all the residential streets and not just full lighting on a few selected roads. After all, don’t we all pay for the street lighting and yet some of us do not get any.

I would ask that County Highways look at the issue of street lighting being turned off at midnight, as this creates a problem in Bishop’s Stortford in particular . Because of our proximity to Stansted Airport many of whose staff work shifts and live in the town and many use the all night bus services ie the 510 and 308 And find it a hazardous just getting safely to the bus stops on the route of these buses.I would ask that Highways look again at the issue and consider urgently leaving the lights on in the following roads :- London Rioad,South Road,Rye Street, Michaels Road, Stansted Road, Parsonage Lane and Heath Row and Dunmow Road , Hockerill Street and Dane Street My local County Councillor Sara Bedford has invited resident views on the policy of switching off street lighting overnight. I live in Abbots Road which is included in the list of roads which has its street lighting switched off from midnight onwards. I have two comments to make against this policy, they are:- The feeling of lack of security and vulnerability from the significant darkness that descends in Abbots Road from midnight onwards. As an early morning commuter from Kings Langley Railway station to which I walk to from my home address, I find that as the winter draws in I have to negotiate uneven pavements with little or no ambient back ground lighting and face road vehicles driving towards me with full beam switched on which is blinding causing me stop until the vehicle has passed. In summary I believe mine and others well being and safety as a resident in Abbots Road is compromised by this policy of switching the Street Lighting off.

Letter to Mike Penning: Last year in November 2012 I sent you a petition about the street lights being turned off all night, it seems that the Council have still not reached a decision as to what they are doing. I did not want to write again but other people won't bother as they all say the same thing 'The Council won't listen to us, they will just do what they want'. This seems to be how everybody thinks, but they are genuine concerns that I feel overide money. We are all having trouble making ends meet with money, but safety and peace of mind is something you can't buy. I myself have had terrible trouble since the lights went out, the lights being out has meant that I often wake in the night panic stricken because of the dark outside, all I want to do is reach for the phone for help, I don't think I can go through another winter with no lights. It may sound silly to other people but being in the grips of fear all night is soul destroying, I don't want to go on like this I can't cope. To add to this there are other concerns, we have been told that crime has not increased, I disagree, there has been a car stolen opposite me, another broken into, two sign posts went missing and had to be replaced, I know of 3 people in Elm Green opposite me that leave for work before the lights come on, one is a young woman who last year walked into another car while trying to get to hers as she couldn't see, not only that she cannot use her garage in the winter as its in Polehanger Lane and you can't see where you're going nor is it safe. There are elderly people in Polehanger Lane, Elm Green and Maple Green who have all expressed a feeling of being unsafe with no lighting. My problem continues as my mother has an emergency call line which comes direct to me, how am I supposed to walk from my house to hers when I am terrified to go outside. We suffered another mishap about six weeks ago when my daughter's dog collapsed in the garden passing blood, it shames me to say I was so frightened of the lack of light, I couldn't go into my garden and help her, I had to phone her father at 2am and ask him to come and help her, he walked from Gadebridge in the dark and he is a recovering stroke person, that's how scared I am. There are also two people facing me, a young woman on her own with a disabled daughter and next to her an elderly woman who is very ill, what happens if they need an ambulance, believe me if an emergency vehicle had to come down Daggsdell Road it would probably crash it is a terrible road, even local police have said how bad the road is. The rubbish in the fields at the bottom of Elm and Maple Green has increased, I have had beer bottles in my garden, thing put in my hedge, then you have I don't know who walking through the fields down where my mother lives. I have seen graffiti on someones wall, dog mess all over the place and one OAP from Maple Green going around picking up rubbish. People drive round the fields in cars and I know that some people from Lynne Way have said they have seen police with flash lights trying to catch youngsters across the fields, but they drop to the ground and can't be seen. As for road safety, there should be at least every other light on, if not all of them. When you get to the end of Boxted Road going to Potten End there should be street lights there and there aren't. This list could go on and on but I do believe all these points ill fall on deaf ears because it seems that money is more important than people's feeling of safety. I for one don't want to carry on my life feeling frightened all the time, so if anyone has any feeling for people who are old or ill they will at least put on every other light. I can assure you it would be really appreciated by all the residents I have spoken to. PS. In the space of writing this letter I would like to add a broken sign post for Elm Green, a 'no ball game' sign pulled up and a stone water sign pulled up and dumped in rough siding. Also my daughter fell in the garden last night while out with her dog and has broken a toe, but I suppose that doesn't count as it was in our garden, but street light from Whitebroom Road helps us to see. Mike Clark: We meet briefly at the last PC meeting in Northaw village hall. I would like to raise an issue re dangerous night street lighting levels but as it is outside Northaw & Cuffley then this will need to come directly from myself rather than Jason.

The inadequate street lighting is between The High Street B156 - The Causeway B156. (see link) The main issue is that lighting is on in then you drive into complete darkness on a blind corner. Ideally it would be better if all the street lighting was on through the night and not just some of the lighting from Potters Bar into Cuffley. I travel this route every day early in the morning and on many occasions I have been confronted by an HGV with headlamps on full beam on my side of the road. Please could you prioritise this area as to re instate the lighting during night hours. To me this is a black spot waiting for a fatal accident to happen.

Mark Mills-Bishop: Many thanks for this. I know what you mean and how you feel about dangerous hot spots, which, are deemed suitable for a switch off. I have raised questions about this (blanket policy) with the leader of HCC, not always welcome. In the first instance any change of switch off will need the backing of the police. l shall make representation and see how we get on. Thanks for raising this with me.

Mike Clark: Your reply is very much appreciated. I have previously spoken to local police and they agree that the street lights in this area should be switched on. This will only effect turning on 12 posts approximately so no significant drain on resources. Most of the road from Potters Bar to Cuffley is fairly well lit but this area may have been switched off without realising the resulting issue. Can you please advise with scrutiny, I have played an active part in the reinstatement of the 14 lights left on in Welham Green i.e at all corners and am working with other groups to get this ridiculous lights out after midnight ruling overturned .

I definitely feel this was an ill-thought out plan. I usually come home around 11.30 pm or just after midnight a couple of times during the week Monday to Friday. Sometimes I find the lights are off before midnight. The pavements near me leave a lot to be desired plus the roads near me seem to be dug up or repaired at least once every 18 months. Is it not possible to switch off alternate street lights? I have on occasion left my house just before 6.00 am to get a train where there are no street lights on. If I lived in the countryside I could understand having no street lights but I live in a town that is growing in size so I would like the street lights put back on or otherwise for you to change the time of switch off to 1.00 am to 5.00 am in the morning.

I am writing to give my support for the street lights to be left on all night as I feel it is unsafe, also a stupid idea not even leaving them on til the last bus has gone, which I wrote and said at the time, it wouldn't of hurt to of made it 1.00am instead of 12.00am to give people time to get off the last bus and get home. I often come home on the last bus and have to have a torch and alram in my hand I feel really unsafe, but apart from that there are people coming home throught the early hours by car coming home or going to work so really need to be on all night, also talking about street lights even when they are still on before midnight the one in a footpath from the main road Ashley Drive / Furce Hill 292/107 bus stop into farriers Way estate the fottpath from the bus stop to Hunter Close is of little use there is only one half way up and it is not the bright type so its still dark and have to use a torch once it gets dark, its a danger because there is a big bush blocking the view of the whole path and people on bikes speed round and down that path I've nearly got knocked over the bush needs to be cut back to give full view of the path and a bright white light to brighten the footpath to Hertsmere Council because I'd wrote mainly about the first bush was so overgrown you had to stoop to get through. Someone I noticed did cut some bits off so you can get through now but I think that footpath should be looked after and made more safer for people to walk through but I've had no reply, anyway in response to B/wood times 12 July on YOUR VIEWS Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst Liberal Demcrat group leader Herts County Council and Highways says to put views to you about lights so this is my view of it all.